Notices

Mariners are advised that a yellow DBCA sanctuary zone marker buoy is missing or adrift from its previous known location.

The last known location of the buoy was -33;33.0123 S, 115;5.1727 E.

Mariners are advised to be aware of the missing buoy and to contact DoT of DBCA if the missing buoy is sighted.

Mariners are advised that construction of breakwaters has significantly progressed within the Casuarina Boat Harbour, Bunbury.

The works involve the progressive placement of rock material in designated areas at the northern end of the harbour (immediately to the south of SPA Berths 1 and 2).

All construction works will be undertaken from 7:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday.

Operators will be monitoring UHF channel 13.

Whilst still in construction, new port and starboard channel marker buoys have been installed to designate the future navigational channel for the facility. Yellow buoys containing yellow flashing lights are in place alongside and ahead of the breakwater to designate work areas. These yellow buoys will be progressively moved as the breakwater is constructed to ensure safe navigation.

CHART CHARACTER
Fl Y 3s 2M

An exclusion zone of 30m is in effect around the new structures during construction. The structures have a wide base of submerged rock, land-based machinery will actively be placing rock and incomplete rock slopes may be unstable.

Mariners are advised to adhere to the new channel markers, always remain outside the exclusion zone, exercise caution while transiting the area and be aware of changing navigation routes into and out of Casuarina Boat Harbour.

Pursuant to section 66 of the Western Australian Marine Act 1982, I Kathryn Davies, authorised person of the Department of Transport hereby close the following area of water to all vessels from Sunday 1st September 2024 to Monday 30th June 2025:

Preston River, Bunbury.

Area of Closure:
Waters bounded by the Bunbury Port rail bridge (where the Preston River and Victoria Bay converge) and a line east of the bridge commencing at 33° 19.26'S, 115° 40,64'E (western side of Preston River) thence southeast across the river to 33° 19,28'S, 115° 40.67'E.
The closure area will be delineated with yellow boom placed across the Preston River northeast of the causeway.

This area is set aside for safety measures during the construction of a new bridge for Southern Ports' Port of Bunbury.

Conditions of closure:
No vessel shall transit through, anchor or moor within the closed waters area.

Mariners are advised that 1 x Acoustic receiver will be deployed on Wednesday 27 March 2024 at the entrance of Leschenault Estuary, The Cut, Bunbury at approximately 33° 18.273'S, 115° 40.594'E.
The above acoustic receiver will be attached to a concrete block set with a steel rod approximately 50 cm from the seabed. (0.8m W x 0.8m L x 0.2m H - concrete, 0.3m H - steel).

Provisional recovery date: September 2026

No vessel is to moor to or interfere with the above receiver at any time.

A directional wave buoy (DWRB) has been deployed approximately 12 nautical miles west of Cape Naturaliste at the location below. The DWRB is yellow in colour, approximately 700mm in diameter, and equipped with a 2m whip antenna and flashing yellow light.

Flash rate: Fl (5) Y 20s

Mariners are requested to maintain a minimum distance of 100 meters from the DWRB, including any associated fishing equipment at all times so as to not interfere with or damage the DWRB.

Mariners are advised that three wave buoys are scheduled to be deployed in Geographe Bay as follows:

Locations:

-33.5915S, 115.1165E (Dunsborough)
-33.6001S, 115.2499E (Abbey)
-33.628S, 115.338E (Busselton Jetty)


Deployment date: 08/09/2022
Provisional recovery date: 08/09/2024

The above wave buoys are yellow in colour, approximately 420mm in diameter, and equipped with a flashing yellow light.

Flash rate: Fl Y 2.5s

No vessel is to moor to, or interfere with, the above wave buoys at any time.

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

Mariners are advised that shallowing has occurred at the northern entrance to the Pelican Point Canals (immediately downstream of the mouth of the Collie River, Bunbury) reducing depths and restricting navigation in the vicinity.

The shallowest area of the canals, outside the edges of the canals, is reported to be on the southern side of the approach channel, about 20m upstream of the pedestrian bridge into the northern canal entrance

Mariners are advised that the Marlston Waterfront Jetty (adjacent to the Dome Café, Bonnefoi Boulevard Bunbury) has been closed until further notice due to storm damage.

A boom and yellow marker buoys have been deployed around the jetty.

Mariners are advised to remain east of the yellow marker buoys and exercise caution when towing skiers in the adjacent Koombana Bay water ski area.

Mariners are advised that mobile seagrass wrack is present throughout the Port Geographe Harbour entrance channel.

This material can vary significantly in thickness and position over short time frames, reducing depths and restricting navigation in the channel.

The affected area includes the full extent of the entrance channel, with the worst affected area being in the entrance channel directly adjacent to the lagoon rock-wall.

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in the entrance channel, allowing for changing conditions when traversing the area. Vessels may be at risk of grounding when navigating through this area.