Notice to Mariners & Warnings

Notices to Mariners (NTM’s) provide legal notification of changes in conditions within charted waters that could affect the safe and efficient movement of shipping. A Notice to Mariner is issued for the purpose of providing permanent navigation information—frequently this information will result in a chart correction.

A notice may be marked as Temporary (T) if the information will remain valid only for a limited time. The master or skipper of a vessel must ensure that the passage of a vessel complies with Notices to Mariners and that charts are altered in accordance with information provided.

The Australian Hydrographic Service of the Royal Australian Navy is the Commonwealth authority responsible for national chart production known as AUS Charts and the circulation of Australian Notices to Mariners that are distributed nationally and internationally. Information contained in Gippsland Ports’ notices are regularly reproduced in the Australian Notices. These notices are recognised as being an authoritative, accurate guide on marine charts.

Local Navigation Warnings

Local Navigation Warnings (LNW’s) provide notification of changes in conditions within Gippsland Ports’ waterways that could affect the safe and efficient movement of shipping. Local Navigation Warnings are generally issued when the changes referred to occur in waters not covered by an Admiralty chart; or that refer to a small, localised event. The master or skipper of a vessel must ensure that all vessel operations comply with directions given in Local navigation warnings.

Interested parties may wish to subscribe to the “Notice to Mariners” option to automatically receive notification when new notices are issued.

Current Notices

28/05/2025

Local Navigation Warning 6 of 2025 Marine Incident Port Albert Bar Abandoned Vessel Confirmed Sunk

Location: Port Albert

Mariners are advised to navigate with extra precaution through the area until the vessel can be marked or salvaged. Mariners are requested to report any sightings of flotsam including a GPS position to Gippsland Ports Ph. 0351500500

22/05/2025

Local Navigation Notice 3 of 2025 Lake Victoria – Isolated Danger Buoy Withdrawn From Service

Location: Lake Victoria

Mariners are advised that the mud island which appeared in the waters of Lake Victoria, adjacent to the township of Loch Sport, approximately 700m Northwest of Seagull Drive Boat ramp has disappeared.

16/05/2025

Local Navigation Notice 1 of 2025 Local Port of Mallacoota – Land Based Beacons Withdrawn Lateral Marks Buoys Established

Location: Local Port of Mallacoota

Mariners are advised that changes have been made to the Mallacoota Navigation Aids upstream of the entrance to the Narrows.

29/04/2025

Local Navigation Notice No.2 of 2025 Port of Anderson Inlet. Anderson Inlet Channel – Buoy Exchange Completed

Location: Port of Anderson Inlet

Mariners are advised that the Anderson Inlet Channel buoy exchange program has been completed.

11/04/2025

Notice to Mariners No. 198 of 2025 Port of Corner Inlet and Port of Anderson Inlet Aids to Navigation. Major Buoy Exchange Program 2025 Completed

Mariners are advised that maintenance works for the exchange of major navigation buoyage in the Port of Corner Inlet (7 buoys) and Anderson Inlet (Fairway Buoy) has been completed.

09/04/2025

Notice to Mariners No. 191 of 2025 Port of Gippsland Lakes. Navigation Warning – Lakes Entrance Bar depths compromised

Mariners are advised that following the recent Tasman Sea weather event causing high density swells, environmental conditions on the bar had caused the TSHD Tommy Norton to abort dredging operations temporarily.

19/03/2025

Notice to Mariners No. 154 of 2025 Port of Corner Inlet and Port of Anderson Inlet Aids to Navigation Major Buoy Exchange Program 2025

Location: Port of Corner Inlet and Port of Anderson Inlet

Mariners are advised that maintenance works will commence on or about 7th April 2025 for the exchange of major navigation buoyage in the Port of Corner Inlet (7 buoys to exchange) and Anderson Inlet (Fairway Buoy to be exchanged). The program is expected to take approximately 4-5 days to complete at Corner Inlet and one day at Anderson Inlet following the Corner Inlet exchange. The Buoys to be exchanged at Barry Beach are; Barry Beach Channel – No.1 Stbd Lateral Mark buoy (Fl.G.3s) in position: Lat. 38° 42.796” S Lon. 146° 22.929” E Barry Beach Channel – No.4 Port Lateral Mark buoy (Fl.R.3s) in position: Lat. 38° 42.756” S Lon. 146° 22.868” E Barry Beach Channel – No.6 Port Lateral Mark buoy (Q.R(2).5s) in position: Lat. 38° 42.583” S Lon. 146° 22.917” E The Buoys to be exchanged at the Franklin Channel Maritime Security Anchorage are: Franklin Channel – MS No.1 Stbd Lateral Mark buoy (Fl.G(3).8s) in position: Lat. 38° 45.399” S Lon. 146° 24.800” E Franklin Channel – MS No.2 Port Lateral Mark buoy (Fl.R(3).8s) in position: Lat. 38° 45.699” S Lon. 146° 25.300” E Franklin Channel – MS No.3 Starboard Lateral Mark buoy (Fl.G(2).6s) in position: Lat. 38° 45.498” S Lon. 146° 22.592” E Franklin Channel – MS No.4 Port Lateral Mark buoy (Fl.R(2).6s) in position: Lat. 38° 45.999” S Lon. 146° 22.800” E All Datum is WGS84 All Buoys exchanged in Corner Inlet will be in the same position and have the same Flash Character as previously established. The Anderson Inlet Buoy to be exchanged sometime following the Corner Inlet Channel buoy exchange is; Anderson Inlet Fairway Buoy L.Fl.10s in position: Lat. 38° 39.417 S Lon. 145° 43.344” E Datum WGS84 If there is a change in position of the Fairway Buoy the new position will be promulgated in the follow up Notice During the buoy exchange program; 1. Gippsland Ports vessel’s “Albatross” and “Shearwater” shall be engaged in each buoy exchange. These vessels shall maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch.16 at all times. 2. The buoy exchange program includes towing operations and each vessel will display the lights and day shapes prescribed in the Prevention of Collision Regulations (COLREGS). 3. The buoy exchange program includes daylight hour diving operations, and the Dive vessel “Shearwater” will display the Code “A” dive flag. 4. There may be short periods of time when one or more of the above-named navigation buoys will be missing from station. 5. There will be no change to the flash rate or number/name of the above navigation buoys and any significant change to the geographical position will be promulgated in the issue of the next Notice to Mariners following the conclusion of the buoy exchange program. Due to the expected traffic in Barry Beach Channel Mariners are advised to take extra precaution when navigating in the vicinity of these operations and are requested to give a wide berth and reduce speed to minimize wake when passing the buoy exchange vessels. Vessels arriving or departing through the Barry Beach Channel are requested to call the vessel’s “Albatross” and “Shearwater” to communicate transit intentions. CHART AFFECTED: Chart Aus.181 & ENC Cell AU439146 – ENC Cell AuBAR01

12/03/2025

Notice to Mariners No.142 of 2025 Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert Corner Inlet Entrance Channel No.3 and No.5 Starboard Lateral Mark Buoys Synthetic AIS Aid to Navigation Established

Location: Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert.

Mariners are advised that Synthetic AIS Aids to Navigation have been established for the following Corner Inlet Entrance Channel Buoys; No.3 Starboard Lateral Mark Buoy (Q.G.) Lat. 38° 51.086’ South Lon. 146° 34.105’ East No.5 Starboard Lateral Mark Buoy (Fl.G.3s) Lat. 38° 50.593’ South Lon. 146° 33.408’ East The No.3 AIS Aid to Navigation is named “Corner Inlet Entrance No.3” with the AIS MMSI number 995036313. The No.5 AIS Aid to Navigation is named “Corner Inlet Entrance No.5” With the AIS MMSI number 995036314

07/03/2025

Local Navigation Notice No.1 of 2025 Local Port of Gippsland Lakes – Marlay Point Yacht Race temporary buoy

Location: Gippsland Lakes

To support the Marlay Point Overnight Yacht Race, a Lit, Yellow Special Buoy (Fl.Y.2s) has been deployed in Lake King.

24/01/2025

Notice to Mariners No.048(T) of 2025 Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert Lweis Channel Port Welshpool – Wreck Navigation Hazard – 16m Fiberglass Cruiser

Location: PORT OF CORNER INLET AND PORT ALBERT

Mariners are advised that the burnt wreck of the 16m (53’) Activa Fiberglass Cruiser (RV418 “Not Too Bad”) is securely grounded approximately 800m East of the Port Welshpool Fishermans Jetty in position; Lat 38° 42.129’ South Lon. 146° 28.507’ East Datum WGS84

13/01/2025

LNW No.1 of 2025 – Shallow Inlet Entrance – No. 1 Starboard Lateral Mark Buoy Off Station

Location: Shallow Inlet Lakes Entrance

Mariners are advised that the Unlit Shallow Inlet Entrance No.1 Starboard Lateral Mark Buoy Formerly in position; Lat. 38° 52.358’ South Lon. 146° 11.775’ East Datum WGS84 Is off station and aground upstream from the original position. The Inlet is experiencing large Spring Tides and Gippsland Ports will re-establish the No1. Buoy in its correct position as soon as environmental conditions allow.

07/01/2025

NtoM No.14 of 2025 Port of Corner Inlet. Corner Inlet Entrance Channel No1 Buoy Synthetic AIS Navigation Aid Established

Location: Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert. Corner Inlet Entrance Channel No. 1

NtoM No.14 of 2025 Port of Corner Inlet. Corner Inlet Entrance Channel No1 Buoy Synthetic AIS Navigation Aid Established

25/11/2024

NtoM No.519 of 2024 Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert – Toora Channel – No6 Port Lateral Buoy Established

Location: Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert - Toora Channel

NtoM No.519 of 2024 Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert - Toora Channel - No6 Port Lateral Buoy Established

16/10/2024

LNW No.9 of 2024 – Port of Gippsland Lakes – McMillans Strait – Ausnet Power Cable Works Update

Location: Port of Gippsland Lakes - McMillans Strait

Mariners are advised that the Ausnet Power transmission cable from the Mainland to Raymond Island across the northern end of McMillans Strait has been damaged and requires replacement.

01/10/2024

LNW No.8 of 2024 – Port of Gippsland Lakes – McMillans Strait

Location: Port of Gippsland Lakes - McMillans Strait

Mariners are advised that the Ausnet Power transmission cable from the Mainland to Raymond Island across the northern end of McMillans Strait has been damaged and requires replacement.

01/10/2024

LNW No.7 of 2024 – Port of Gippsland Lakes – McMillans Strait

Location: Port of Gippsland Lakes - McMillans Strait

25/09/2024

NTM 357 of 2024 – Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert

Location: Port of Corner and Port Albert

Mariners are advised that the Toora Channel No.6 Port Lateral Mark Beacon (Fl.R.4s) has been compromised during a recent severe weather event and is missing off station. The former position of Toora No.6 Beacon;

29/08/2024

LNN 5 of 2024 Port of CI and PA BBMT underwater Sheet Pile survey inspection

Location: Corner Inlet - Barry Beach Marine Terminal

Mariners are advised that the Barry Beach Marine Terminal operated by Qube Energy on behalf of Esso have engaged the Commercial Dive Company “Southern Divers” to conduct an underwater Sheet Pile Survey Inspection of the Terminal wharf. Dive Operations shall be conducted from Monday 02 September 2024, until completed, being dependent on Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) Scheduling, weather and other environmental conditions.