Gascoyne notices

Mariners are advised that one settlement plate array frame and one water sampling frame are scheduled to be deployed at Shark Bay at each of the following 4 locations:

Denham Channel, Bar Flats vicinity: 25.931S, 113.382E
Useless Loop ship loading facility 1: 26.087S, 113.416E
Useless Loop ship loading facility 2: 26.087S, 113.416E
Useless Loop ship loading facility 3: 26.098S, 113.401E

21/10/2023 – 22/12/2023: Settlement plate array frames

Each of the settlement plate array frames consist of an aluminium box frame (250mm x 220mm x 220mm) suspended approximately 1m below the water surface, attached to 2 stacked white surface buoys (approximately 200mm in diameter) with a metal rod running through the centre. A third white buoy (also approximately 200mm in diameter), equipped with a yellow flashing light will also be deployed (Flash rate: Fl Y 2s)

21/10/2023 – 22/10/2023: Water sampling frames

Each of the water sampling frames consists of 2 subsurface mesh frames (200mm x 200mm), approximately 1m and 3m above the seabed respectively, affixed to a rope which is attached to 1 unlit white surface buoy (approximately 200mm in diameter)

No vessel is to interfere with the above instruments and associated equipment at any time.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above instruments and associated equipment at all times.

Mariners are advised that when entering Carnarvon Teggs Channel at night the rear lead of the outer channel is currently Unlit. Please navigate with caution.

Mariners are advised that the rear lead into Norwegian Bay, on the Ningaloo Coast, is buried and obscured from view. Only the front lead is visible at this time.
Please navigate with caution if you are entering the Bay.
Alternative anchorages are Coral Bay to the south or Tantabiddi to the north.

Maintenance dredging works at Fascine Channel in Carnarvon commenced in late-September 2023 and will proceed until approximately mid-December 2023.


The dredge and securing lines extend across the width of the channel. Due to natural constraints in depth surrounding the dredge, safe passage in and out the Fascine may not be achieved.

Due to the nature of her work, the dredge is restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.

Mariners are reminded to keep out of the way of the dredge and are requested to maintain a minimum distance of 100m to avoid her cables.

During those time the dredge is within segments 16-19 as per the attached plan, the channel will be not be navigable. Anticipated dates of works in this area are from mid-October to the end of November.

Vessel access windows may be provided for vessels during the Fascine dredging works.

• 14th & 15th October 10:30am – 12:30pm
• 28th & 29th October 10:00am – 12:00pm
• 13th & 14th October 11:00am – 1:00pm
• 28th & 29th November 11:30am – 1:30pm
• 16th & 17th November 1:00pm – 3:00pm

Dredging will mainly occur Monday to Sunday between the hours of 0700 and 1900hrs, with provision to take place during hours of darkness, if required.

The works will be carried out by the 18m cutter suction dredge “Ironheart”, equipped with 50m of floating line behind the dredge, and up to 1.5km of submerged pipeline extending to Babbage Island Sand Spit. The pipeline will be marked with orange buoys, equipped with flashing white lights along its’ length. The dredge and connected pipeline will remain in situ, unmanned, after normal operating hours for the duration of the works.

The dredge has no self-propulsion and uses anchors to move. Dredge anchors will also be marked with orange buoys, equipped with flashing white lights. Multiple steel wire ropes may be running above and below the waterline from the dredge during operations, obstructing the channel.

The dredge will exhibit shapes and lights in accordance with the Prevention of collisions at Sea Regulations 1983 at all times. Mariners are reminded to pass on the side of the dredge showing two diamonds during the day and two green lights at night.

It is requested that radio communication be established with the dredge before passing the dredge. Mariners are requested to always follow the dredge operator’s instructions when transiting the area. Operators will be monitoring the following radio frequencies during operating hours.

VHF Channel 16 – marine safety channel
VHF Channel 74 – working channel


As a cyclone contingency, a temporary mooring will be placed along the eastern side of the Carnarvon Boat Harbour

Location: 24° 54.023', 113° 39.086'E

Additionally, a 1.5km string of temporary anchors will be placed along Pelican Point, 150m offshore, for attaching the pipeline. The mooring and anchors will be marked at all times with yellow buoys equipped with flashing yellow lights.

Location: 24° 53.519'S, 113° 37.977'E

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

Please refer to the link below for a diagram of the works area and instructions to pass the dredge.

Mariners are advised that one (1) Directional Wave Rider Buoy will be deployed 1.8NM east-southeast of the Coral Bay Town between 30/06/2023 and 6/06/2024. The buoy will be lit with a yellow light flashing 2.5s at the following location:

Mariners are advised that a subsurface instrument will be deployed off Coral Bay on the 01 May 2023 with a recovery date of 31 May 2024.

The oceanographic instrument protrudes 300mm from the seabed (Clearance height at LAT will be approximately 2.2m).

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area.

Location: 23° 9.402’ S, 113°45.864’ E,

Mariners are advised that six acoustic receivers (30cm in length) will be deployed in the Tantabiddi vicinity as follows.

Three of the receivers will be deployed on an orange surface float, approximately 30cm in diameter with reflective tape.
Their locations are as follows:

21° 55.364'S, 113° 58.06'E
21° 56.208'S, 113° 57.728'E
21° 56.934'S, 113° 56.802'E

Two of the recievers will be deployed on the lines of existing DBCA (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions) moorings.
Their locations are as follows:

21° 54.774'S, 113° 58.452'E
21° 54.906'S, 113° 57.669'E

One reciever will be deployed on a star picket on the sea floor, which protrudes approxiamtely 40cm above the seabed.
It will be located as follows:
21° 56.016'S, 113° 56.69'E

Depolyment date:12/12/2022
Recovery date: 12/12/2023

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area

Mariners are advised that nine subsurface environmental monitoring devices have been deployed at Exmouth Gulf, within the Ningaloo Marine Park, Bundegi vicinity at the following locations:

- 21° 50.178'S, 114° 11.073'E
- 21° 49.988'S, 114° 10.693'E
- 21° 50.181'S, 114° 11.120'E
- 21° 50.070'S, 114° 10.839'E
- 21° 49.376'S, 114° 11.096'E
- 21° 49.880'S, 114° 10.545'E
- 21° 50.793'S, 114° 10.396'E
- 21° 50.973'S, 114° 10.075'E
- 21° 52.061'S, 114° 09.596'E

Water depths at LAT are reduced no more then 40cm at the above mentioned sites.

No Vessel is to interfere with the above instruments at anytime.

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

High levels of swimming and snorkelling occur in the area surrounding Five Finger Reef.

Mariners are advised to traverse with caution.

Mariners are advised that a Directional Wave Buoy (DWR) has been deployed around 22 November 2023 in the Ningaloo Marine Park, approximately 5km offshore from Tantabiddi at the following location:

Location: 21° 54.118'S, 113° 55.951'E

The above DWR is yellow in colour, approx. 0.42m in diameter and equipped with flashing yellow light

Flash rate: Fl Y 2.5s

Provisional recovery date: 22/11/2024

No vessel is to moor to, or interfere with, the above DWR.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the area and keep well clear of the above DWR

Mariners are advised that one (1) new wave buoy has been deployed approximately six (6) nautical miles off Bundegi, within the Ningaloo Marine Park.

The buoy will be lit with a yellow light flashing 2.5s at the following location

Location 21° 52.146’S 114° 12.225’E

All coordinates in GDA 94.

Mariners are advised that jetty debris from the Carnarvon Norwest Whaling Jetty (including large timber pylons) may be adrift within the vicinity. The jetty is located adjacent to Binning Road at the following coordinates (approx. 1 km south of the Carnarvon One Mile Jetty).

Mariners are to navigate with caution when transiting the area.

Mariners are advised that six sub surface acoustic receivers will be deployed late September 2021 at Exmouth Gulf at the following locations:

22° 18.9600 S, 114° 7.1400 E Bay of Rest (inner)
22° 18.9600 S, 114° 7.8000 E Bay of Rest (inner)
22° 15.7200 S, 114° 8.3400 E Heron Point

Each of the above receivers is attached to an anchored structure protruding approximately 0.70 metres from the seabed.

22° 17.4600 S, 114° 7.9200 E Bay of Rest (outer)
22° 16.9200 S, 114° 7.6800 E Bay of Rest (outer)
22° 17.6400 S, 114° 9.4200 E Bay of Rest (outer)

Each of the above receivers is attached to a subsurface rope and equipped with a yellow surface float.

Recovery date: 30/06/2023

Mariners are advised to navigate with Caution when transiting the area

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 Carnarvon 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 Carnarvon, Marine Safety Department of Transport.

Mariners are advised that a large shifting sandbar has encroached upon the Fascine waterway, south of the boat ramp channel.

Shallow waters and shifting sand bars are reducing depths and severely restricting navigation throughout the fascine. Navigational aids should be used with caution as shifting sands may reduce navigable waters throughout.

Mariners are advised that ocean access may not be possible if launching from the Fascine boat ramp at low tides. The Carnarvon Boat Harbour boat ramp is open to provide an alternative option for launching vessels via Teggs Channel.