Swan and Canning Rivers

Mariners are hereby advised that the following area is closed to swimming and to passive craft that have the potential to capsize and listed below in the following area from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026 between the hours of 7am and 7pm, Monday to Saturday inclusive:

Passive Craft:
• All paddle craft including, stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, rowing vessels
• Sailing dinghies, windsurfers
• Hydrofoil boards

Location;
All the waters of the Swan River that are approximately 285 metres upstream of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge and approximately 350 metres downstream of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge, bound by a line between 32°02.470'S, 115°45.490'E (adjacent to East Street, East Fremantle) and 32°02.360'S, 115°45.433'E, (adjacent to the western side of Sorrell Park) and upstream of a line between 32°02.617'S, 115°45.072'S and 32°02.396'S, 115°45.054'E, within the Fremantle Inner harbour.

All coordinates based on GDA2020.

For more information, please click on the link below.
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/projects-initiatives/all-projects/metropolitan/swan-river-crossings/

Mariners are advised that bridge inspection works are scheduled to be conducted on the Guildford Bridge on Monday 6 April to Thursday 9 April 2026 and Barkers Bridge on Friday 10 April to Sunday 13 April 2026 during daylight hours between 7:00am and 5:00pm.

The works will be conducted from a 12m x 5.5m self-propelled barge (Harrah J) equipped with an elevated work platform (EWP). The barge will inspect the entire length of the bridge structure, resulting in partial obstruction of the navigation channel.

In instances where larger vessels or where vessel skippers not comfortable with passing next to the working barge, need to access the navigation channel, the barge will stop inspection works and exit the navigation span of the bridge to allow any marine traffic to pass through.

The works barge will monitor VHF Channel 16 and communicate ship to ship on VHF 9 during operating hours.

Harrah J will exhibit shapes and lights in accordance with the Prevention of Collisions in State Waters Regulations 1983 at all times.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution, keep clear of the above operations and pass at a slow speed to minimise wake.

Mariners are hereby advised that the Canning River water ski area at Deepwater Point has been set aside for an aquatic event approved by DTMI under section 51C of the Navigable Waters Regulations 1958. 

The following area is closed to water skiing activities and the speed limited to 5 knots as rowers will be competing in the 'Rowing WA Masters Regatta” during the following date, time and location:

Saturday 11 April 2026 from 08:00 AM to 2:00 PM between Deep Water Point and Canning Bridge.
Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and adhere to the 5-knot speed limit when transiting the area during the above times

Mariners are advised that diving operations will be undertaken at Fremantle Rail Bridge and Guildford Rail Bridge, Swan River from 17 March 2026 to 31 March 2026. 

Works will be conducted Monday to Friday during daylight hours.

Access to the navigation span of the bridges will be maintained as normal and disruption will be minimal.

Works will commence at the Guildford Rail Bridge and, upon completion, will proceed to the Fremantle Rail Bridge. Each location is expected to require approximately five days to complete.

Operations will be undertaken from diving support vessel “C Y O’Connor” which will also be used as a spotter vessel to communicate with vessels as required. 

The international code flag “A” will be exhibited whilst diving operations are in progress.

Operators will monitor Marine VHF Channel 16 for initial communications and VHF Channel 9 for directions and communication between operators and passing vessel traffic. 

Mariners are advised to maintain a proper lookout and reduce wake while navigating through the bridges.

Mariners are advised that the height restriction at the old Fremantle Traffic Bridge of 6.3m (air height) under the northern navigational span is now removed. This is due to the current Fremantle Traffic Bridge replacement works and the removal of the old roadway.  

The new bridge clearance (air height) is now at 9metres above the High Astronomical Tide (HAT).

DTMI tide information is available at 
https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/marine/charts-warnings-current-conditions/coastal-data-charts/tide-predictions

Mariners should continue to maintain a proper lookout and navigate with caution in this area until the bridge works are complete.

Mariners are advised a vessel is currently semi submerged on its mooring within the Mosman Bay mooring zone, Swan River.

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transitioning this area and be aware for potential floating debris.

Mariners are advised that JoJo's jetty in Nedlands has collapsed. 

Please navigate with caution and keep a wide berth of the jetty.

Mariners are advised that the jetty protruding from the Dome Cafe in East Fremantle has collapsed and is partly lying below the water level. 

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution, and keep a wide berth of the jetty, there could be possible debris in the water.

Mariners are advised that due to scaffold installations on the Fremantle Rail Bridge, the clearance height of navigable spans upstream and downstream reduced from 7.4m to 6.9m at Highest Astronomical Tide.

All other Fremantle Rail Bridge spans have a reduced clearance height of 6.75m at High Astronomical Tide.

This restriction will be in effect from Friday, 28 November 2025, to Friday, 5 December 2026.

Mariners should maintain a proper lookout at all times and proceed with caution when navigating under the bridge.

Mariners are advised Jetty and Marine Constructions Pty Ltd (JMC) will be carrying out demolition and reconstruction works on the Small Craft Pens Finger Jetty, located adjacent to the Fremantle Rail Bridge within Fremantle Harbour from 11th November 2025 to 25th March 2026.

Works will take place Monday to Friday between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, subject to daylight, weather, and sea conditions.

During non-working hours, all vessels, barges and equipment will remain securely moored within the designated work area and will display appropriate navigation lights and markings for visibility and safety. 

The project will involve the use of spudded barges, tugs, and support vessels operating in and around the jetty area. 

All vessels taking part in these works will display lights and shapes in accordance with the Prevention of Collisions in State Waters Regulations 1983 at all times

Spotter vessels will be on-site during critical works to monitor vessel movements and ensure safe navigation. They may stop, hold, or redirect marine traffic as required, including directing vessels to use the northern arch of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge to avoid interaction with the work zone.

The work area may be marked by temporary yellow buoys and warning signage both onshore and on the floating plant.

Mariners are requested to proceed with caution, reduce speed and wake, follow all signage, and comply with directions from spotter vessels or site personnel.

For assistance or further information, spotter vessels can be contacted directly on VHF Channel 12, which will also be monitored continuously by JMC site vessels and Fremantle Ports operations.

Mariners are advised that there is 1 x Echo Acoustic Logger with an orange surface buoy attached deployed in the Mosman Bay area 

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution while in the area.

Mariners are advised that installation of artificial reef fragments will take place on the 21st of October 2025 and are set to be in place at the Attadale foreshore until the 21st of April 2026.

Modules will be installed manually by researchers wading into the water.

Mariners are advised to maintain a proper lookout at all times and proceed with caution when navigating in this area.

Mariners are advised that construction works for the Fremantle Traffic Bridge Project will impact navigation under the bridge from October 2025 to November 2026.

The project involves the construction of the new traffic bridge and the removal of the existing Fremantle Traffic Bridge. During this period, large concrete segments and associated materials will be lifted over each navigation channel, at times, using cranes, resulting in intermittent interruptions to river traffic.

Impacts on navigation:
•    Intermittent closures of one navigation channel (north or south) will occur during lifting operations.
•    Closure durations may range from 15 minutes to over two hours depending on specific lifting requirements.
•    Contraflow vessel management will be in place during these intermittent closures.

Work vessels and safety measures:
•    Spotter vessels will assist in managing vessel traffic and alerting approaching river users.
•    Spotter vessels will be stationed at strategic points and will communicate through Marine VHF Channel 71 (and monitor VHF Channel 16).
•    All vessels involved will display lights and shapes as required by the Prevention of Collisions in State Waters Regulations 1983.
•    Signage will be displayed at local boat ramps along the river and at coastal locations to inform all river users of the potential navigation impacts.

Mariners are advised to maintain a proper lookout at all times, navigate at a slow speed to reduce wake and wash, and adhere to any instructions issued by signage and spotter vessels.

Please see attached link for more information on the Fremantle Traffic Bridge project Swan River Crossings | Main Roads Western Australia

Mariners are advised that three Shark Monitoting Bouys are scheduled to be deployed in the Swan and Canning Rivers on 11 Dec 2023 in following locations:

East Freemantle 32°2.4180S 115°45.5760E
Blackwall Reach 32°0.9840S 115°47.0580E
Canning Bridge 32°0.7284S 115°51.27600E

The above buoys are yellow meridian spar buoys equipped with a flashing yellow light.

Flash rate: Fl Y 4s

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and keep well clear of the above buoys.

Mariners are advised that 6x subsurface receivers are scheduled to be deployed in the Swan River on or around Wednesday 13 December 2023 at the following locations:

Port of Fremantle - River mouth: 23: 3.307S, 115: 44.159E
Minim Cove Park: 32: 1.384S, 115: 45.994E
Bicton Baths: 32: 1.624S, 115: 46,580E
Keane's Point: 32: 0.074S, 115: 46.587E
Mosman Bay: 32: 0,636S, 115: 46.564E
Melville Waters: 32: 0.242S, 115: 49.074E

The above receivers consist of a receiver secured to a subsurface float which are attached to a concrete block and protrude approximately 1.5m above the riverbed. Each site will have a minimum clearance of 5.5 metres.

Recovery date: March 2026

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

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

Mariners are advised that an environmental monitoring buoy has been deployed on a temporary basis at the following location:

31: 59.992S, 115: 50.585E

The above marker buoy is yellow in colour (special mark), approximately 1.5m in height and equipped with flashing yellow light.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution and keep clear of the above monitoring buoy.

Warning - Leeuwin Cadet Jetty - Swan River East Fremantle

Description: Mariners are advised that the current condition of the Leeuwin Cadet Jetty is condemned and not safe to moor alongside.

Location: 32° 1.565'S, 115° 46.100'E Chart reference: Department of Transport chart WA898 - Swan and Canning Rivers
- Start date:17/04/2023
- Issued: 17/04/2023
- Number: 4867

Mariners are advised that shark tagging will occur in various locations in the Swan and Canning Rivers from 30th March 2023 onwards.

Non buoyant long lines of up to 200m will be deployed parallel to the river bank for approximately two hours at a time. Where possible, the lines will be deployed outside of navigational channels and to the outer limits or the river however sharks and river conditions could mean the equipment is dragged on to channels. The end of the lines will be fitted with a vertical riser with a white float and reflective tape at the water surface. During the deployment, the equipment will be monitored by vessel at all times.

Mariners and divers are reminded to exercise caution and not interfere with fishing equipment.

A submerged hazard has been reported close to the shore, approx. 30m west of the Coode Street Boat Ramp.

Perth Water, Swan River
Mariners are advised of daylight sea plane operations, including landing and take-off activities, in Perth Water.

The landing and take-off areas (depending on wind conditions) are south of Riverside Drive channel and east of the Mends Street channel.

Chart reference: DoT Chart WA - 898'Swan and Canning River'. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when transiting the above area and be aware of sea plane activity in this location.

Swan River, Fremantle traffic bridge
Mariners are advised that large vessels may at times navigate downstream through the southern span of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge against the flow of traffic. This may occur whilst access through the Central and Northern navigable spans are restricted due to tidal influences or closures due to ongoing works.

Mariners are advised to keep a safe speed and lookout, and navigate with caution when transiting upstream through the southern span of the Fremantle Traffic Bridge.