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

10/05/2021

LNN No.2 of 2021

Location: Paynesville

Mariners are advised that the Paynesville Canal Approach Beacon Replacement and realignment project has been completed. During the replacement program beacons #3 & #4 and beacons #5 & #6 have been withdrawn from service and replaced with two new beacon positions. The Approach channel now consists of six (6) beacons in total.

09/05/2021

LNW No.1 (DELWP) of 2021 – Sydenham Inlet- Artificial Opening of the Entrance to the Sea

Location: Sydenham Inlet

Mariners are advised that the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA) has authorised Parks Victoria to undertake an artificial opening of the Sydenham Inlet estuary entrance to the sea. Parks Victoria and EGCMA are currently arranging the logistics and environmental approvals required to undertake the operation. EGCMA is planning the opening to occur on or around Wednesday 12th May with operations to commence early AM that morning.

28/03/2021

LNN 001-2021

Location: McLoughlins Beach

16/03/2021

LNW No 2 – 2021

Location: Eagle Point, Point Fullarton

Mariners are advised that a 35’ vessel has run aground and is beached west of Point Fullarton between Paynesville and Eagle Point. As part of salvage operations a floating tow line marked with buoys is in place and mariners are advised to navigate the area with caution.

06/01/2021

NTM 007-2021

Location: Mallacoota Inlet entrance

Navigation advice in general; Mariners are reminded that the ocean entrance to Mallacoota Inlet is dynamic and continuously changes in position and depth and can do so over a very short period.

29/11/2020

LNN NO. 9 – 2020

Location: Anderson Inlet

Mariners are advised that due to the dynamic nature of the Anderson Inlet waterway, near the entrance and inner channels, and following a recent bathymetric survey, it has been identified that sandy shoals have formed upstream of the Inverloch Boat Ramp. Channel configurations are inconsistent for the time being which has made it necessary for Gippsland Ports to temporarily withdraw three aids to navigation immediately upstream from the Boat Ramp.

14/09/2020

NTM 153(T)-2020

Location: 1. South East of Snake Island and 2. East of Kate Kearney Entrance

Off shore wave and current measuring equipment deployment offshore within the limits of the Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert.

07/08/2020

NTM 222-2020 – Harbour Master Direction – AMSA Safety Alert

Location: Lakes Entrance, Corner Inlet and Port Albert

Stabiliser Safety Alert AMSA - Harbour Master Direction Deployment of passive fin and boom and paravane stabilisers prohibited during entry and departure or transiting or berthing.

06/08/2020

LNW No 6 – 2020

Location: Lake King and Mitchell River

Mariners are advised that large trees and other flood debris caused by recent heavy rainfall has been observed floating in Lake King and the Mitchell River and is causing a potential hazard to navigation in places.

05/08/2020

LNN No 03 – Anderson Inlet

Location: Inverloch Boat Ramp

Mariners are advised that due to a change in channel configuration, two unlit lateral marker buoys upstream of the Inverloch boat ramp have been relocated to the following positions: Starboard Lateral mark Buoy No 3. Position: Lat. 38° 38.224´ S Lon. 145° 44.142´ E Port Lateral mark Buoy No 4. Position: Lat. 38° 38.222´ S Lon.145° 44.102´ E

20/07/2020

LNW No 7 – 2020

Location: Mallacoota

Mariners are advised that the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA) has authorised Parks Victoria to undertake an artificial opening of the Mallacoota Inlet entrance to the sea. works commencing from Monday 20 July 2020. Maritime Safety Victoria is responsible for creating the Waterway exclusion zone. The exclusion zone will remain in force from Monday 20th July 2020 to Tuesday 28th July 2020.

16/03/2020

LNW 004-2020

Location: Mallacoota

Mariners are advised that several Parks Victoria Jetties have been damaged by the recent severe bushfires. An inspection has now been carried out of the extent of the damage resulting in the following jetties being marked to warn vessel operators. Mariners are advised to stay clear of fire damaged jetties until remedial works can be arranged and are reminded that rising flood water may cover some or all the remains of the jetty infrastructure at times.

17/02/2020

LNN 002-2020

Location: Loch Sport

Mariners are advised that Loch Sport Buoys No. 3 & No 4 have been replaced.

10/02/2020

NTM 051(T) OF 2020 – Note 253 (T) – 2019 is now cancelled

Location: Bastion Point Mallacoota

04/02/2020

LNW 003-2020

Location: Marlo - Snowy River Entrance

Mariners are advised that Parks Victoria personnel shall be opening the Port of Snowy River entrance to the sea beginning on Tuesday 04 February 2020. Parks Victoria will be establishing a Vessel Exclusion Zone within the port during the opening process. The exclusion zone will remain in effect until further notice.

16/01/2020

NTM 017-2020

Location: Lewis Channel

Mariners are advised that the beacon exchange program commenced in October 2019 has been completed. There is no change to the position or the light characteristic of the beacons.

07/01/2020

LNW 002-2020

Location: Mallacoota

Mariners are advised that, due to significant dense bushfire smoke in the East Gippsland Region, solar battery charge may be compromised to light beacons and light buoys that mark the Channels and Fairways of the Port of Mallacoota Inlet. Due to significant fire damage, access to Mallacoota Inlet is seriously compromised and restricted to Emergency and Extraction personnel only until advised otherwise. Repairs and maintenance to any affected Aids to Navigation will be completed by Gippsland Ports when access is returned to normal.

06/01/2020

LNW 001-2020

Location: Loch Sport vicinity

Mariners are advised that a 32 ft Cruiser previously sunk near Loch Sport has been salvaged and no longer poses a risk to the safe navigation of vessels. Further Information is available from Gippsland Ports on 0427 610 025.