Willis Islandis the only permanently inhabited island in theCoral Sea Islands Territory,an external territory ofAustralia,located beyond theGreat Barrier Reefin theCoral Sea.The island is located some 450 kilometres (280 mi) east ofCairns,Queensland.It is the southernmost of the Willis Islets, a group of three islands which with their associated sandy cays stretch in a NNE to SSW line for about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi). Willis Island itself is aligned NW to SE and is about 500 metres (1,600 ft) long by 150 metres (490 ft) wide, 7.7 hectares (19 acres) in area, rising to about 9 metres (30 ft) above sea level.

Willis Island
Aerial view of Willis Island in 2006
Map
Geography
LocationCoral Sea
Coordinates16°17′15″S149°57′52″E/ 16.28750°S 149.96444°E/-16.28750; 149.96444(Willis Island)
Total islands1
Area7.7 ha (19 acres)
Length500 m (1600 ft)
Width150 m (490 ft)
Highest elevation9 m (30 ft)
Administration
Australia
Demographics
Population4[1](2018)

Weather monitoring station

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Willis Island Lighthouse
LocationWillis Island, Queensland,Australia
Coordinates16°17′16″S149°57′53″E/ 16.287667°S 149.96475°E/-16.287667; 149.96475
Tower
Constructionmetal skeletal tower
Shapequadrangular tower[2][3]
Power sourcesolar power
OperatorAustralian Maritime Safety Authority
Light
Characteristic(2) F G

TheAustralian Bureau of Meteorologyhas aweather stationon the island.[4]There are usually four weather observers, one of whom is Officer-in-Charge, and one Technical Officer (electronic engineering) living on the island.

History

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The Willis Island weather monitoring station was established in 1921 and equipped with a radio transmitter in order to provide a cyclone early warning service for Queensland. The first officer in charge wasJohn King Davis.[5]

Cyclones

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On 2 February 2011, sometime shortly after 08:30AEST,the eye ofCyclone Yasimoved directly over Willis Island as aCategory 5tropical cyclone.Four station staff had been evacuated the previous day.[6]A wind gust speed of 185 kilometres per hour (115 mph) was recorded by the weather station equipment before theanemometerfailed.[6]Thebarometric pressurefell to an exceptionally low 937.9 hectopascals (703.5 mmHg). Around 9:00 am, radar data was disrupted.[6]Roughly an hour later, communication with the island was completely cut off. The cyclone was so strong it altered the shape of the island and cleared much of its vegetation.[7]

Limited services were restored on 17 February 2011. A Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman later said the core building sustained minor damage to the roof, deck covering and one of the solar panels. "The radome which protects the radar was completely destroyed and the radar itself sustained damage and needed to be replaced," she said. The associated storm surge also damaged the power generator, sewage system and desalination equipment.[8]Operation of the weather monitoring station was restored on 12 December 2011.[7]

Meteorology staff on the island were evacuated again in 2023 by aRoyal Australian Navy(RAN) warship beforeCyclone Jasperpassed through the area on 11 December.[9]Little damage was caused to the island and the BOM staff returned eleven days after they were evacuated.[10]

Infrastructure

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Past infrastructure

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Up to 2004 most of the infrastructure constructed in either 1950 or 1968 still existed. Maintenance and refurbishment had been an ongoing costly process. The small parcel of land (total island is 7.7 hectares) accommodated eight buildings of varying structure as follows:

  • Main building housing recreation, kitchen/dining, sleeping, office and equipment room constructed in 1950
  • Main store constructed in 1950
  • Laundry building constructed in 1950
  • Bunker/Cyclone Shelter constructed in 1950
  • Generator building constructed in 1968
  • Fire pump building constructed in 1968
  • Flammable liquids bunker constructed in 1968
  • Balloon filling andhydrogenstorage building constructed 1950 (condemned)

Personal living accommodation was provided in a barracks-like wing between the meteorological office and the kitchen-living room area. Meteorological equipment included a defined equipment enclosure and a 7-metre-high (23 ft) radar tower plus dome. Other equipment included adesalination plantand enviro-cyclesewage treatment plant.[11]

Current infrastructure

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From 2005, the following new facilities and services have been constructed:

  • Meteorological office, mess area, accommodation, recreational area, powerhouse
  • Hydrogen generator building and gas storage, including associated site works
  • Relocated fuel storage tanks to a new concrete bunded diesel fuel area
  • Underground services related to communications, power distribution, water, sewage and fire hose reel services
  • Relocated satellite dishes and radar tower
  • Refurbished salt water pump building

Accommodation facilities caters for four permanent staff and up to 10 visiting personnel.

Meteorological equipment includes a defined equipment enclosure and a 7-metre-high (23 ft) radar tower plus dome. Other equipment includes a desalination plant and enviro-cycle sewage treatment plant. Power generation comprises a hybrid system of a diesel generator combined with a wind generator and solar power. Rainwater harvesting has not been implemented due to the high level of marine bird life andguanodeposits.[11]

Recreation

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The station has a recreation room which includes amenities such as a pool table, darts and table tennis, along with an outside sporting area and a home gym. There are also opportunities for recreational fishing.

A substantial library caters for all tastes. Two satellite television systems enable reception ofAustralian Channel 10and theABC,and free-to-air transmissions from countries such asMalaysiaandIndonesia.Programming includes theAmerican televisionchannelsCNNandMTVand an extensive video library completes the passive entertainment options.

Occasionalamateur radiooperations occur in the Willis islets. UnderDXCCrules Willis is considered to be a separate "entity" (equivalent to country) for award credit. A majorDX-peditionvisited for several weeks in October 2008 (VK9DWX).[12]Another operated here in November 2015 (VK9WA). Amateur radio operator VK4WXW/VU2WXW "Sands" operated as VK9WX on Willis from Oct 2022 to April 2023.[13][14]

Hazard reduction

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In the past, landfill was buried on the island, and occasionally high winds and heavy seas from a cyclone would uncover parts of the waste. A major clean-up campaign was conducted in 2004 and 2005 to protect the sensitive areas such as the coral cays and sand dunes.

Today, all waste generated on the island, as well as any debris that washes ashore, is placed in bins and shipped back on the staff exchange vessel for appropriate disposal on the mainland.

Tropical Cyclone Yasi uncovered a landfill site on the island, which was found to include some asbestos containing material (ACM). The area wasremediatedand all waste was removed from the island.

Three formal Occupational Health and Safety investigations on Willis Island have been undertaken by independent assessors – GHD (2007 and 2011) and Parsons Brinkerhoff (April 2011 – after TC Yasi). These investigations found no significant potential for exposure to asbestos fibre for employees stationed on Willis Island.

Occasionally old asbestos cement sheet washes up on Willis Island and is collected and bagged before being transported back to the mainland where it is disposed of in line with the Queensland Government's EPA legislative requirements. Full safety equipment is used.

Staff generate their own supply of hydrogen for use in weather balloons. Prior to 1994, a chemical process to meet hydrogen needs was used. This process produced a toxic residue that was a danger to the local birdlife. Because of this danger, a safer "electrolytic converter" is now used to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Birdlife

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The most common inhabitants arewedge-tailed shearwaters,sooty ternsandcommonandblack noddies.Their numbers are usually quite high and bird cries continue day and night on the island. Several species ofboobymigrate through the Island includingmasked,brownandred-footed boobies,and also thelesser frigatebird.Crested ternsare also seen to migrate, although not as often.[15]Other birds mentioned by John King Davis are thebuff-banded railas a resident,wood sandpiper,andsacred kingfisherandred-tailed tropicbirdas occasional visitors.[5]

Climate

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Willis Island experiences a moisttropical savanna climate(Köppen:Aw,Trewartha:Awha), with a hot and oppressivewet seasonfrom November to April, and a warm, muggydry seasonfrom May to October, typical for most ofFar North Queensland.[16]Warm, windy and humid weather predominates the island even during the winter, with the average temperature being 26.6 °C (79.9 °F), but the long dry season reduces average annual precipitation, which is 1073.4 mm (42.3 inches).

Temperatures are moderated in all seasons by the warmCoral Sea,which eliminates extreme weather. The absolute temperature range is very narrow: from 35.2 °C (95.4 °F) on 9 February 2002 to 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) on 28 June 2007. In addition, diurnal temperature range is limited in comparison to the city ofCairnson mainland Australia. High temperatures are similar year-round, but Cairns averages cooler nights in the wet and dry seasons, along with lowered humidity.[17]Temperature is slightly cooler in the dry season during the day and night: averages range from 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in February to 24.4 °C (75.9 °F) in July and August.

Precipitation is brought on by thunderstorms from northeasterly trade winds during the wet season, while the island is too far north forcold frontsfrom theTasman Seato arrive and deliver precipitation. Due to the "hit-or-miss" nature of these thunderstorms, precipitation is extremely variable in the summer. Only 1.0 mm (0.04 inches) was recorded in November 1992, but an astounding 1484.8 mm (58.46 inches) was recorded in March 1997, more than the annual average in just one month. Occasionally, cyclones can occur in the summer, and are more common than on the mainland, as average wind speeds are higher. Winters are much drier, bottoming at 7.1 mm (0.28 inches) in September.

Climate data for Willis Island, Coral Sea Islands, Australia (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1930-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 35.1
(95.2)
35.2
(95.4)
33.8
(92.8)
33.9
(93.0)
31.5
(88.7)
32.2
(90.0)
29.8
(85.6)
30.0
(86.0)
31.6
(88.9)
32.4
(90.3)
33.6
(92.5)
34.8
(94.6)
35.2
(95.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30.8
(87.4)
30.8
(87.4)
29.9
(85.8)
29.0
(84.2)
27.8
(82.0)
26.7
(80.1)
26.2
(79.2)
26.4
(79.5)
27.4
(81.3)
28.6
(83.5)
29.8
(85.6)
30.8
(87.4)
28.7
(83.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 28.5
(83.3)
28.5
(83.3)
27.8
(82.0)
27.6
(81.7)
26.0
(78.8)
24.9
(76.8)
24.4
(75.9)
24.4
(75.9)
25.3
(77.5)
26.3
(79.3)
27.4
(81.3)
28.4
(83.1)
26.6
(79.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 26.1
(79.0)
26.2
(79.2)
25.7
(78.3)
25.2
(77.4)
24.2
(75.6)
23.1
(73.6)
22.5
(72.5)
22.4
(72.3)
23.1
(73.6)
24.0
(75.2)
25.0
(77.0)
25.9
(78.6)
24.5
(76.0)
Record low °C (°F) 20.7
(69.3)
20.9
(69.6)
20.8
(69.4)
18.9
(66.0)
19.9
(67.8)
16.9
(62.4)
17.2
(63.0)
16.4
(61.5)
18.6
(65.5)
18.9
(66.0)
20.9
(69.6)
21.1
(70.0)
16.4
(61.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 174.0
(6.85)
197.2
(7.76)
246.3
(9.70)
98.7
(3.89)
72.5
(2.85)
44.5
(1.75)
42.5
(1.67)
18.2
(0.72)
7.1
(0.28)
17.6
(0.69)
49.4
(1.94)
99.9
(3.93)
1,067.9
(42.03)
Average rainy days(≥ 1 mm) 11.7 11.7 14.4 9.5 7.3 6.5 4.4 3.4 1.5 2.1 4.4 7.6 84.5
Average afternoonrelative humidity(%) 74 78 76 74 72 70 67 67 66 67 69 70 71
Averagedew point°C (°F) 24.0
(75.2)
24.7
(76.5)
23.8
(74.8)
22.4
(72.3)
20.8
(69.4)
19.4
(66.9)
18.0
(64.4)
18.3
(64.9)
19.2
(66.6)
20.3
(68.5)
21.9
(71.4)
23.2
(73.8)
21.3
(70.4)
Source 1:Bureau of Meteorology(1991–2020 averages)[18]
Source 2: Extremes 1930–present[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^How Willis Island weather observers survive life working at the remote outpost off Queensland
  2. ^Rowlett, Russ."Lighthouses of Australia: Coral Sea Islands Territory".The Lighthouse Directory.University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Retrieved7 November2016.
  3. ^NGA List of Lights – Pub.111Retrieved 7 November 2016
  4. ^"Willis Island – Daily Weather Observations".Australian Government, Bureau of Meteorology.Retrieved15 July2008.
  5. ^abDavis, John King (1923).Willis Island: A Storm-Warning Station in the Coral Sea.Melbourne:Critchley Parker.OCLC6098368.
  6. ^abcLyell, Kim (2 February 2011)."Monster cyclone knocks out weather radar".ABC News.Australian Broadcasting Corporation.Retrieved2 February2011.
  7. ^ab"Back to business for Willis Island weather station".Bureau of Meteorology. 12 December 2011.
  8. ^Yasi-hit weather station to be back on track
  9. ^"Willis Island's BOM weather station evacuated as Cyclone Jasper approaches Queensland - ABC News".amp.abc.net.au.Archivedfrom the original on 14 December 2023.Retrieved15 December2023.
  10. ^Nothling, Lily (5 April 2024)."On a good day, life on this remote weather station is like 'holidaying at a beautiful tropical resort'".ABC News.Retrieved6 April2024.
  11. ^abREDEVELOPMENT OF WILLIS ISLAND METEOROLOGICAL OFFICE, CORAL SEA, Bureau of Meteorology, June 2005Archived4 April 2011 at theWayback Machine(accessed 2 February 2011)
  12. ^"Willis Island – Coral Sea expedition 2008".Archived fromthe originalon 10 December 2015.Retrieved8 December2015.
  13. ^VK9WX entry on qrz.com
  14. ^VK9WX Willis Island – QRT!
  15. ^Fletcher, P.Chapter 10: The Original Inhabitants.Seventy-Five Years at Willis Island.1996. Bureau of Meteorology.
  16. ^Australia, c\=AU\;o\=Australia Government\;ou\=Geoscience (15 May 2014)."Coral Sea Islands".www.ga.gov.au.Retrieved24 April2022.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ^"Cairns climate: Average Temperature, weather by month, Cairns water temperature - Climate-Data.org".en.climate-data.org.Retrieved24 April2022.
  18. ^"Climate statistics: Willis Island".Bureau of Meteorology.Retrieved24 April2022.
  19. ^"Willis Island monthly climate statistics".Bureau of Meteorology.Retrieved24 April2022.

Further reading

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  • "Redevelopment of Willis Island Meteorological Office, Coral Sea".Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works.Canberra. 2005.ISBN0-642-78699-2.
  • "Solitude and Solecisms: A Willis Island Notebook" by Frank Exon, edited by Neville Exon (Imprint: Australian Scholarly Publishing, 2012) is the journal and sketchbook of Frank Exon, a 27-year-old engineer for Amalgamated Wireless, kept while he was stationed on the island with two companions for six months in the 1920s: 'an engaging tale penned and illustrated by a natural writer and an astute observer of the natural world and of human nature, a testament to the resilience and good humour of a generation that had known the Great War'.
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