Notice to Mariners

Port of Gippsland Lakes

Lakes Entrance

DATE:  31 August 2017 DETAILS: Mariners are advised that the Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge (TSHD) “Tommy Norton” is scheduled to arrive at Lakes Entrance on Friday 1^st September 2017. From 4^th September 2017 “Tommy Norton” will be conducting dredging and equipment trials at various locations including;

• The Lakes Entrance Bar
• The Ocean Entrance Channel
• The Narrows and swing basin, and
• Near the entrance to Cunninghame Arm.

During the dredging and equipment trials “Tommy Norton” shall be displaying the lights and day shapes as required by Marine Orders Part 30 and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Operations will be conducted in daylight hours only. Pump ashore trials will be conducted near the entrance to Cunninghame Arm. The pump ashore operation requires the dredger and associated pipe work to be positioned between the Green Light Jetty and the Flagstaff Jetty on the southern side of the navigable fairway. Masters of Commercial and Recreational vessels are reminded that they must observe the rules prescribed in Harbour Masters Directions Part 2 Port of Gippsland Lakes. Part 2 Section 5.2.11 of these Directions refers to the rules when operating near the “TSHD Tommy Norton”. The rules referred are reproduced below: Rule 1: All vessels must keep clear of the Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) Tommy Norton while it is navigating through channels and fairways or carrying out dredging operations in The Narrows (Reeve Channel) or on the Lakes Entrance Bar.  Rule 2: Any vessels whether inbound or outbound through The Narrows (Reeve Channel) or on the Lakes Entrance Bar must not attempt to pass the TSHD Tommy Norton unless that vessel receives verbal permission from the Dredge Master on VHF Ch16. to do so. Rule 3: A vessel given permission to pass the TSHD Tommy Norton must pass the dredge as directed by the Dredge Master.  A copy of Harbour Masters Directions for the Port of Gippsland Lakes can be downloaded from the Gippsland Ports Website at:  https://www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/harbour-master-directions-gippsland-lakes-july-2017.pdf Mariners are advised to take extra precaution when transiting waters near the “Tommy Norton” and ensure radio communication protocols are carried out.