Great Southern notices

Mariners are advised that shallowing has occurred at the mouth of the Nornalup Inlet, Walpole. Levels may be lower than charted depths.

Please be mindful of fluctuating tide levels, as it may not be possible to return to the inlet during low tide.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area.

Mariners are advised that aquaculture gear is scheduled to be deployed at a licenced aquaculture site in Shoal Bay, within Princess Royal Harbour. Deployment is due to commence after 21 July 2024.

The corners of the site will be marked with yellow buoys, approximately 1m in height, and equipped with flashing yellow lights.

Flash rate: Fl Y 3s.

Coordinates for yellow buoys:
Lat Long
1 35° 04.218' S 117° 54.508' E
2 35° 04.218' S 117° 54.614' E
3 35° 04.213' S 117° 54.614' E
4 35° 04.213' S 117° 54.999' E
5 35° 04.093' S 117° 54.999' E
6 35° 04.093' S 117° 55.199' E
7 35° 04.359' S 117° 55.199' E
8 35° 04.359' S 117° 55.139' E
9 35° 04.479' S 117° 55.139' E
10 35° 04.479' S 117° 54.508' E

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above aquaculture research site.

Mariners are advised that works to install an M4 Wave Energy Converter Prototype and associated equipment
(including a swing mooring) are scheduled to take place in the Seal Island vicinity, Port of Albany.

Installation of anchors will commence from the 24th of June 2024 and launch of M4 and tow to site will commence from the 19th of August 2024. UWA will operate the device, conducting scientific measurements and occasionally access the device for critical maintenance. The device is not to be accessed by unauthorised personnel.

The M4 device will be towed from Albany Waterfront Marina to the installation site in the Seal Island Vicinity.

NW:35: 4.649S, 117: 58.649E
NE: 35: 4.640S, 117: 58.846E
SE: 35: 4.800S, 117: 58.848E
SW: 35: 4.802S, 117: 58.651E

The swing mooring will be deployed in the northeast corner of the installation site.

The device will be marked by flashing yellow marine lanterns located at the bow and stern on posts
approximately one metre in height, and approximately 2.5 meter above water level.

Flash Rate: Fl Y 2.5s

M4 Recovery Date: April 2025

For further information regarding these works please contact Project Manager Manuel Grosshans on 0410 794 229.

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above installation
site and associated installation operations.

A directional wave rider buoy (DWRB) has been deployed approximately 8 nautical miles offshore from Torbay, Albany, at the location below. The DWRB is yellow in colour, approximately 700mm in diameter, and equipped with a 2m whip antenna and flashing yellow light.

Flash rate: Fl (5) Y 20s

Acting pursuant to Section 66 of the Western Australian Marine Act 1982, I Kathryn Davies, Authorised person of the Department of Transport hereby close the following area of water to all vessels.

Offshore Torbay, Albany:
Area of closure: - All the waters offshore from Torbay, Albany within 100 metres of the above DWRB. Vessels authorised by the Department of Transport are exempt from the closure.

Mariners are requested to maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from the DWRB, including any associated fishing equipment at all times so as to not interfere with or damage the DWRB.

Mariners are advised that 2x directional wave buoys (DWB) are scheduled to be deployed approximately 2 nautical miles south, south east, of Ocean Beach at the following locations:

35: 2.934S, 117: 21.822E
Recovery date: July 2025

35: 2.979S, 117: 21.898E
Recovery date: March 2025

The above buoys are yellow in colour, with black solar panels, approximately 0.42m in diameter and equipped with flashing yellow light.

The Buoy is attached to an orange surface float with a 20 rope and is 300mm in diameter.

Flash rate: Fl Y 2.5s

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and keep well clear of the above DWB's.

Mariners are advised that 3x seabed water quality instruments have been deployed at Frenchman's Bay (King George Sound) and Sharp Point Albany in June 2023 at the following locations:

Location 1: 35° 5.4543' S 117° 57.7606' E - Frenchman's Bay (King George Sound)
Location 2: 35° 5.3818' S 117° 57.7525' E - Frenchman's Bay (King George Sound)
Location 3: 35° 04.919’S, 117° 49.176’ E - Sharp Point


Each of the above instruments are mounted on a seabed frame (L:1.4m x W:1.4m x H:1.2m) and are marked by a yellow surface buoy, approximately 60cm in diameter and equipped with a flashing yellow light.

Flash rate: Fl Y 3s

Recovery date: June 2025

No vessel is to moor to, or interfere with, the above instruments or surface buoys at any time.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above instruments and surface buoys.

A directional wave buoy (DWRB) has been deployed approximately 10 nautical miles offshore from Bremer Bay at the location below. The DWRB is yellow in colour, approximately 700mm in diameter, and equipped with a 2m whip antenna and flashing yellow light.

Flash rate: Fl (5) Y 20s

Mariners are requested to maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from the DWRB, including any associated fishing equipment at all times so as to not interfere with or damage the DWRB.

Mariners are advised that a build-up of sand has been identified adjacent to the Bremer Bay Boat Ramp. Charted depths have been reduced in some areas by 1.4m. A significant high spot of 1.3m at LAT exists approximately 38m directly adjacent to the boat ramp.

Large draft vessels are advised to exercise caution when navigating the area and on approach to the Southern Service Wharf.

Please see updated chartlet attached.

Mariners are advised that a wave buoy has been deployed approximately 0.5 nautical miles offshore from Salmon Holes Albany.

The above wave buoy is yellow in colour, approximately 420mm in diameter, and equipped with a flashing yellow light.

Flash rate: Fl Y 2.5s

A sub-surface recovery line connected to a second anchor extends approximately 90m to the north east. This second recovery anchor has a small orange unlit surface float approximately 300mm in diameter.

Provisional recovery date: 30/04/2025

No vessel is to moor to, or interfere with, the above wave buoy or float at any time.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above wave buoy and float at all times.