Navigational safety

Safe navigation is the responsibility of every mariner. To assist in safe navigation, there is physical infrastructure such as buoys, beacons and lights for guidance.

The Department also regularly issues information about activities or hazards in specific areas that mariners need to know before they go boating.

There are also rules and regulations around what can be placed in the water or removed from the water, as well as rules around public events.

Navigation aids

There are a number of navigational aids administered by the Department around the state; these navigational aids are identified by a number which is placed on the navigational aid itself.

Navigational aids are strategically placed in water and onshore to ensure that the boating community can safely transit through waterways.

It is important to be aware of what is meant by the various marks, buoys, beacons and lights.

Take time to study a chart as well as the lights and topmarks to familiarise yourself with their meaning. To view the most common types of navigational aids and what they mean please click on the navigational aids link.

Please remember, that it is illegal for you to moor to a navigational aid. It carries a penalty of $500.

GPS validation markers

The Department of Transport (DoT), with assistance from the Surveying and Spatial Science Institute (SSSI), has provided GPS validation marks for recreational boat users across WA.

This initiative places unique visible markers at a number of public boat ramps and associated jetties, at which mariners or owners of portable GPS units can use to validate their position and map datum settings.

These marks are small, flat, yellow plastic markers similar to road lane markers or "cat's eyes".

A GPS validation marker

A GPS validation marker

In 2011/12 SSSI member surveyors will be accurately coordinating selected points at jetty and boat ramps from Esperance to Derby. Each point that has been surveyed has the GPS coordinates recorded.

Surveying a GPS validation marker in Fremantle.

Surveying a GPS validation marker in Fremantle.

One aim is to ensure that boat users have set up their GPS units in the correct map datum.

This may be critical if people are fishing near designated Marine Protected Areas or using digital map charts.

You can enter the values for each marker as a waypoint to assist with your safe return.

For the first time, a list of coordinated ramp/jetty locations will be available for use as navigation aids from Esperance to Derby.

How to use the markers:

  • Manouver your GPS unit as close to the yellow cat's eye marker as possible. These markers will be placed either on the bitumen road surface, allowing you to position your vessel directly over them prior to launching, or at the "T" section of the service jetty for vessels already in the water.
  • Ensure that your GPS unit is tracking at least five satellites and is set to the correct coordinate type (LAT/LONG or UTM) and datum (WGS84/GDA94).
  • Make sure your GPS unit display coodinates match the surveyed coordinates of the marker. Agreement with the coordinates shown on the Department of Transport website should be possible to within 15 metres or 0.008 min.

Aquaculture Leases

Navigable waters contain other hazards to mariners such as aquaculture leases. Department charts have the boundaries of aquaculture leases marked on them.

These leases may have active areas where you cannot navigate your vessel and which may be anywhere within the boundaries of the lease.

These areas are marked by special marks which may be either lit or unlit and mariners should keep well clear of these specially marked areas.

Fault reporting

Should you see a navigational aid that has been damaged, missing or if the light is not functioning or you see a navigational hazard you can report it either by email to the department or by calling the Marine Operations Centre or the Water Police.

When you are reporting a fault you should include the position/location of the navigational aid and type of fault occurring for example; topmark missing, light not working, buoy out of position.

Temporary notices to mariners

Temporary notices to mariners (TNTM) are designed to advise mariners of events that may present navigational difficulties.

TNTM include things such as the installation of infrastructure (e.g. a new jetty being built, a harbour being developed or the installation of a navigation aid or an environmental monitoring station); dredging or other operations that can hinder the safe passage of vessels through that particular area; special events such as fireworks displays where boating is restricted; or changes to rules in a specific area such increased or decreased speed limits.

TNTM contain details such as:

  • location;
  • type of activity;
  • time / duration of activity;
  • whether you can navigate in the area or whether there is no boating allowed for the duration of works; and
  • details of any special changes or rules.

The notice to mariners may also contain information whether machinery or infrastructure will be left in the location overnight.

Temporary notices to mariners are regularly published in the Public Notices section of State and local newspapers.

Notices to mariners

Changes to chart information occurs regularly, this information is put out to the public by means of a Notice to Mariners which notifies mariners of permanent changes to existing charts.

To access this information you can click on the Notice to Mariners - chart information link.

Navigation warnings

Navigation warnings are temporary notices that are generally issued in emergency or urgent situations.

Weather and navigation warnings covering the Perth metropolitan waters (within 20 nautical miles) are broadcast on VHF Channels 16 and 67 at 0718 and 1918 hours western standard time by the WA Water Police.

These warnings are also broadcast by local volunteer sea rescue groups. Weather and tidal information is also available on the Bureau of Meteorology website: http://www.bom.gov.au/.

Events on water and installations

Should you wish to hold a public event or install objects anywhere in navigable waters you will need to seek permission.

If you install an object or hold an event without authorisation you may be infringed so it is best to seek authorisation prior to undertaking any activity. Please contact the Department and we will provide you with the appropriate application form.

You can email or write to the Navigational Safety section.

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