Pilbara notices

Mariners are advised that Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pty Ltd are scheduled to conduct maintenance to their Aid to Navigation Beacon No.27 (Starboard), with works expected to commence 7 December 2023.

These works, include the removal of the existing Spar Buoy AtoN for refurbishment on land. During their removal, a temporary floating AtoN shall be installed in their place that shall comply with the IALA standards. These maintenance activities include diving operations which will take place during daylight hours from vessel ‘MARY-V'.

International code flag A will be exhibited at all times during diving operations.

All vessels taking part in these works will exhibit shapes and lights in accordance with the Prevention of Collisions at Sea Regulations 1983 at all times.

Operators will utilise VHF channel 14 during operating hours.

Mariners are advised to use caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above operations.

Mariners are advised that diving and ROV (Remotely Operated Vessel) operations are scheduled to take place approximately 400m to 1300m offshore from Whites Beach, west side of Barrow Island from around 15 December2023 and are expected to be completed by July 2024.

The works will take place 24/7 from vessel ‘Bhagwan Dryden’ (57m x 16m) and support vessels as required.

4 temporary mooring anchors will also be installed at the following locations as part of these works:

20: 40.97S | 115: 24.35E

20: 41.17'S | 115: 24.85E

20: 41.62S | 115: 24.66E

20: 41.43S | 115° 24.16E

The above mooring anchor locations will be marked by yellow buoys, approximately 3m in height and equipped with flashing yellow lights (Fl Y 3 sec).

All vessels taking part in these works will exhibit shapes and lights in accordance with the Prevention of Collisions at Sea Regulations 1983 at all times.

The International Code Flag ‘A’ will be displayed whilst diving operations are underway.

Operators will monitor Marine VHF channel 16 during operating hours.
Mariners are advised to use caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above operations.

Mariners are advised that one (1) commercial mooring is scheduled to be installed on 12 October 2023 and 13 October 2023 in the Enderby Island vicinity:

The above commercial mooring is yellow in colour, unlit and approximately 1.8m in diameter.

Only licensed and authorised vessels may use the above commercial mooring buoy at any time.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above commercial mooring buoy.

Mariners are advised that 13 seabed environmental monitoring instruments will be deployed in the Dampier Archipelago around Friday 5 May 2023 at the following locations:
1. Conzinc Island - 20° 32.173’ S, 116° 46.668’ E.
2. Conzinc Island - 20° 32.456' S, 116° 46.399' E.
3. COBN - 20° 32.417' S, 116° 48.193' E.
4. Angel Island - 20° 30.710' S, 116° 47.127' E.
5. Hauy Island - 20° 26.747' S, 116° 58.233' E.
6. Flying Foam Passage - 20° 29.504' S, 116° 49.060' E.
7. Gidley Island - 20° 28.261' S, 116° 47.794' E.
8. Hamersley Shoal - 20° 22.713' S, 116° 47.519' E.
9. High Point - 20° 32.398' S, 116° 41.059' E.
10. Courtenay Shoal - 20° 28.155' S, 116° 42.273' E.
11. Lady Nora Island - 20° 26.765' S, 116° 37.527' E.
12. Legendre Island - 20° 21.202' S, 116° 50.450' E.
13. Malus Islands - 20° 31.543' S, 116° 39.603' E.

Each of the above instruments consists of a yellow surface buoy (approximately 750mm wide x 920mm height and equipped with solar panels and a flashing yellow light) attached to a seabed frame (1100mm x 1100mm x 1000mm).

Flash rate: Fl Y 4s

Provisional recovery date: May 2024

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

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above environmental monitoring equipment.

Mariners are advised that 4 subsurface monitoring stations have been deployed on 7 July 2022 in the Fortescue River, Cape Preston vicinity, at the following locations:

• 21.001°S, 116.101°E
• 21.008°S, 116.097°E
• 21.009°S, 116.097°E
• 21.012°S, 116.098°E

Each of the above monitoring stations consists of instrument sensors mounted on a frame on the riverbed with ground line and subsurface float protruding approximately 0.5m from the riverbed.

Recovery date: 31/12/2023

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above monitoring stations.

Vessel masters are reminded that all vessels wishing to transit or operate within the port limit which either:

Have a LOA of 35 meters or greater; or
Are engaged in towing operations where the total length of the tow (measured from the bow of the towing vessel to the stern of the towed vessel) is 35 metres or greater.

Are required to engage the services of a suitably licensed marine pilot or the vessel Master must be the holder of a current Port of Barrow Island Pilot Exemption Certificate.

Vessels, vessel Masters or operators of vessels affected by this requirement are invited to approach the Department of Transport Harbour Masters office at port.ops@transport.wa.gov.au to apply for a Pilot Exemption Certificate to be issued.

Authorised by: Captain Steven Wenban, Harbour Master, Port of Barrow Island, Marine Safety Department of Transport.

Vessel masters are reminded that all vessels wishing to transit or operate within the port limit which either:

Have a LOA of 35 meters or greater; or
Are engaged in towing operations where the total length of the tow (measured from the bow of the towing vessel to the stern of the towed vessel) is 35 metres or greater.

Are required to engage the services of a suitably licensed marine pilot or the vessel Master must be the holder of a current Port of Onslow Pilot Exemption Certificate.

Vessels, vessel Masters or operators of vessels affected by this requirement are invited to approach the Department of Transport Harbour Masters office at port.ops@transport.wa.gov.au to apply for a Pilot Exemption Certificate to be issued.

Authorised by: Captain Steven Wenban, Harbour Master, Port of Onslow, Marine Safety Department of Transport.

Vessel masters are reminded that all vessels wishing to transit or operate within the port limit which either:

Have a LOA of 35 meters or greater; or
Are engaged in towing operations where the total length of the tow (measured from the bow of the towing vessel to the stern of the towed vessel) is 35 metres or greater.
Are required to engage the services of a suitably licensed marine pilot or the vessel Master must be the holder of a current Port Walcott Pilot Exemption Certificate.

Vessels, vessel Masters or operators of vessels affected by this requirement are invited to approach the Department of Transport Harbour Masters office at port.ops@transport.wa.gov.au to apply for a Pilot Exemption Certificate to be issued.

Authorised by: Captain Steven Wenban, Harbour Master, Port Walcott, Marine Safety Department of Transport.

Mariners are advised that 9 sawfish acoustic receivers are scheduled to be installed around 20/01/22 inshore at Mary Anne Passage, north of Onslow, at the following locations:

Locations:
Location Coordinates
1 Mardie N Offshore 21.067°S, 115.923°E
2 Mardie N Inshore 21.083°S, 115.925°E
3 Second Creek 21.135°S, 115.883°E
4 First Creek 21.117°S, 115.890°E
5 Third Creek 21.152°S, 115.869°E
6 Fourth Creek 21.175°S, 115.858°E
7 Offshore Fourth Creek 21.173°S, 115.838°E
8 Mardie S inshore 21.252°S, 115.818°E
9 Mardie S Offshore 21.232°S, 115.805°E
Each of the above receivers are attached to a weight and lifting line on the seabed protruding approximately 30cm from the seabed, and are marked by an unlit yellow surface buoy, approx. 70cm in diameter.

Recovery date: 30/11/2023

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

Chart reference: Chart AUS743 – Barrow Island to Onslow

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above receivers.