Great Southern notices

Mariners are advised that one directional wave buoy with a temperature sensor will be deployed approximately 800m offshore of Middleton Beach, Albany on the 1st of May 2025.

This wave buoy will be yellow in colour with yellow flashing light and will be connected to an orange surface float.

Deployment will be undertaken from a small research vessel.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution while in the vicinity of the buoy.

Mariners are advised there is an artificial surf reef scheduled to be installed offshore of Middleton Beach, Albany commencing on Monday 10th of March 2025 and continuing for up to 6 weeks.

Operations will be undertaken by a Mesenge barge in a fixed position as well as two hopper barges (H1201 and H1202) which will be utilised to transport rock from the port to its destination. Operational hours are 24/7.

Operators will monitor Marine VHF Channel 16.

Mariners are advised to maintain a safe distance from operations at all times.

Mariners are advised a vessel has sunk on its mooring 1km North of the Emu Point Boat Harbour and approximately 500 metres from the shoreline.

Please proceed with caution when navigating the area.

Mariners are advised that tidal infrastructure will be deployed using vessel “Keshi Mer II” on 17 February 2025 in the following locations to support hydrographic surveys taking place up to 43 nautical miles off the Cape Arid coast:.


Tidal Infrastructure Deployment Locations:
TG-1: Cape Pasley (East) 33° 56.1' S / 123° 35.1' E
TG-2: Cape Pasley (West) 33° 55.1' S / 123° 27.4' E
TG-3: Sandy Bight 33° 57.6' S / 123° 19.7' E
TG-4: Miles Island 34° 03.4' S / 123° 14.4' E
TG-5: Pasley Island (Offshore) 34° 03.0' S / 123° 39.2' E
TG-6: Eastern Recherche (Offshore) 34° 05.0' S / 123° 28.1' E
TG-7: Dome Island 34° 11.7' S / 123° 19.8' E
TG-8: Cape Pillar Rock 34° 10.4' S / 123° 41.9' E
TG-9: Eastern Recherche (Offshore) 34° 13.1' S / 123° 31.6' E
TG-10: Salisbury Island (East) 34° 19.7' S / 123° 39.9' E
TG-11: Salisbury Island (West) 34° 21.9' S / 123° 26.6' E
TG-12: Chester Reef 34° 28.9' S / 123° 34.9' E
TG-13: Pollock Reef 34° 35.1' S / 123° 35.4' E

Surface Buoys will be present at tide gauges: TG-6, TG-7, TG-9, TG-10, TG-11, TG-12, TG-13
Recovery Date: 21 April 2025
Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting through the area.

Chart reference: AU6763 - Cape Le Grand To Cape Pasley

Mariners are advised that hydrographic survey operations will be conducted from 18 February 2025 to 25 April 2025 off the coast of Cape Arid National Park.

Survey operations will take place on vessel ‘PMG Emerald’ which is 41 metres in length and a 12metre unmanned survey vessel (USV: Fremantle 01) up to 43 nautical miles off the coast of Cape Arid National Park.

Surface buoys containing a yellow flashing light will be deployed during this project.

The survey area is bounded by the following coordinates:

1. 34° 06.686' S / 123° 17.038' E
2. 34° 05.362' S / 123° 15.526' E
3. 34° 03.658' S / 123° 14.931' E
4. 34° 02.533' S / 123° 17.301' E
5. 33° 58.031' S / 123° 20.123' E
6. 33° 55.439' S / 123° 24.556' E
7. 33° 55.793' S / 123° 30.129' E
8. 33° 56.707' S / 123° 30.603' E
9. 33° 56.532' S / 123° 32.147' E
10. 33° 56.104' S / 123° 33.199' E
11. 33° 56.588' S / 123° 34.706' E
12. 34° 00.257' S / 123° 37.458' E
13. 34° 10.467' S / 123° 41.239' E
14. 34° 16.328' S / 123° 39.726' E
15. 34° 21.637' S / 123° 38.965' E
16. 34° 27.602' S / 123° 38.965' E
17. 34° 36.112' S / 123° 37.196' E
18. 34° 36.180' S / 123° 33.676' E
19. 34° 28.807' S / 123° 31.218' E
20. 34° 19.164' S / 123° 25.735' E

Mariners are advised that the survey vessel may be restricted in their ability to manoeuvrer during survey operations.

Chart reference: AU6763 - Cape Le Grand To Cape Pasley

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 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 one directional wave buoy (DWB) is scheduled to be deployed approximately 2 nautical miles south, south east, of Ocean Beach at the following location:

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

The above buoy is yellow in colour, with black a solar panel, 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.