Pilbara notices

View navigational warnings, event notices and Temporary Notices To Mariners for the Pilbara region.

 Advice:  Spoilbank Marina Port Hedland

Mariners are advised that the Department of Transport Maritime (DoT) will assume management of the Spoilbank Marina from 1 July 2024 under transfer from Pilbara Ports.

Any vessel entering or exiting this boating facility should be mindful of the outer shipping channel and their necessity to always give way to commercial shipping.

It should also be noted that the current chart depths for the entrance channel and the marina basin are at -2.0m Chart Datum (CD) with the boat pens (which are all currently closed) at -2.5m CD.

Please be aware that certain areas of the marina precinct are still a construction zone with temporary fencing situated around construction works and laydown areas, that should be avoided.


Currently there is no access to any landside facilities, which includes boat pens, water and electrical services.

The marina precinct is expected to be fully operational in late 2024.

For further information regarding the marina please contact pilbara@transport.wa.gov.au
Location: -20:18.4031'S  118:35.3890'E
Start date: 28/06/2024
End date: 16/09/2024
Issued: 28/06/2024
Notice number: 6108

 Advice:  1 x Seabed mounted acoustic recorder – Nickol Bay, Dampier Archipelago

Mariners are advised that 1 seabed mounted acoustic recorder will be deployed in Nickol Bay, Dampier Archipelago on Wednesday 19 June 2024 at the following location:
-20° 29 ’ 15.934’ S, 116° 56 ‘ 25.093’ E

The above instrument is unmarked and unlit. It consists of a base plate (0.9m x 0.5m x 0.9m). with 45m of ground line attached to weights and an acoustic release (2m in height from seabed).

Provisional recovery date: November 2024
No vessel is to moor to or interfere with the above at any time.

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above environmental monitoring equipment.
Chart reference: AUS57 - Dampier Archipelago
Location: -20: 29.2656'S  116: 56.4182'E
Start date: 19/06/2024
End date: 19/11/2024
Issued: 18/06/2024
Notice number: 6101

 Advice:  Deployment of 2x seabed water quality sensors - Beadon Bay - Port of Onslow

Deployment of 2x seabed water quality sensors - Beadon Bay - Port of Onslow

Description: Mariners are advised that 2x subsurface seabed water quality instruments have been deployed in Beadon Bay, Port of Onslow.

Instrument #1 is approximately 0.31 Nautical Miles from the shore (0.23 NM West-North-West of the end of the Western rock wall) in the following location: 21° 38.211''S, 115° 07.973''E

Instrument #2 is approximately 0.22 Nautical Miles North-East of the Outer Channel Port Marker 4507 in the following location: 21° 36.883''S, 115° 07.735''E

The above sensors are mounted onto a metal seabed frame
specifications: 0.7m(w) x 0.7m (d) x 0.4m (h) and 1m(w) x 1m(d) x 0.6m (h)

The two seperate seabed water quality sensors consists of a yellow special marker approximately 700mm in Diameter and are equipped with a flashing yellow light fl. 4s

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the special marker at all times.
Chart reference: AUS743 - Barrow Island to Onslow
Location: -21: 38.211'S  115: 07.735'E
Start date: 21/06/2024
Issued: 21/06/2024
Notice number: 6066

 Advice:  Declared Depths - Port Walcott

Mariners and port users are advised that recent survey data for the Port Walcott, Cape Lambert facility, berth pockets and approaches has resulted in the depths being declared as per the pdf. below.

All Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area, and mariners and vessels not specifically contracted to perform marine operations for this work scope should keep well clear of these facilities and associated marine operations and should exercise extreme caution in the vicinity of these operations within Port Walcott. In particular, the ‘Wedge’ area is bounded by the following coordinates:

• PT-1: 20 34.46262 S, 117 11.96671 E
• PT-2: 20 34.50809 S, 117 12.01328 E
• PT-3: 20 34.66215 S, 117 11.85917 E
• PT-4: 20 34.59638 S, 117 11.78535 E

It is acknowledged that the Port users may utilize different depths to that shown in the pdf. below, only in the case where a Dynamic Under Keel Clearance software is being exercised.

Chart references: AUS Charts 55, 56 and 740
Location: -20: 34.4626'S  117: 11.9667'E
Start date: 10/05/2024
End date: 29/08/2024
Issued: 10/05/2024
Notice number: 6055

 Advice:  Diving and ROV Operations - White’s Beach, West Side of Barrow Island

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 December 2023 and are expected to be completed by September 2024.

The works will take place 24/7 from vessel ‘Outer Limit' 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.
Chart reference: AUS65 - Approaches to Barrow Island
Location: -20: 40.8980'S  115: 24.530'E
Start date: 15/12/2023
End date: 14/09/2024
Issued: 15/12/2023
Notice number: 5900

 Advice:  Installation of Commercial Mooring - Enderby Island Vicinity

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.
Chart reference: AUS57 - Dampier Archipelago
Location: -20: 36.785'S  116: 33.818'E
Start date: 03/10/2023
Issued: 03/10/2023
Notice number: 5832

 Advice:  Compulsory pilotage requirements, Port of Barrow Island

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.
Chart reference: AUS65 - Approaches to Barrow Island
Location: -20: 49.1070'S  115: 29.6101'E
Start date: 08/02/2018
Issued: 08/02/2018
Notice number: 2018-17

 Advice:  Compulsory pilotage requirements, Port of Onslow

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.
Chart reference: AUS64 - Approaches to Port of Ashburton and Onslow
Location: -21: 40.4615'S  115: 0.5372'E
Start date: 08/02/2018
Issued: 08/02/2018
Notice number: 2018-19

 Advice:  Compulsory pilotage requirements, Port Walcott

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.
Chart reference: AUS55 - Approaches to Port Walcott
Location: -20: 35.0793'S  117: 11.1491'E
Start date: 08/02/2018
Issued: 08/02/2018
Notice number: 2018-21
Page last updated: Tue Feb 15 2022 11:25:09 AM