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Extra care advised when crossings sand bars to all vessel users by Gippsland Ports

Navigation warning advice on ocean access and bars and crossings.

By news@gippsland - 21st December 2022 - Back to News

Gippsland Ports is the Local Port Manager for 5 Local Ports and 4 Waterways, each of the following ports and waterways has an ocean access.

• Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert including Corner Inlet entrance, Port Albert entrance, Kate Kearney entrance, Shoal Inlet (Manns) entrance and
• Mcloughlin Beach entrance
• Port of Gippsland Lakes (Lakes Entrance)
• Port of Anderson Inlet (Inverloch)
• Port of Snowy River (Marlo)
• Port of Mallacoota Inlet. (Mallacoota)
• Waterway of Shallow inlet (Sandy Point)
• Waterway of Lake Tyers (Lake Tyers Beach)
• Waterway of Tamboon Inlet (Tamboon)
• Waterway of Sydenham Inlet (Bemm River)

Vessel operators are advised to take extra precaution before and during any decision to attempt a bar crossing taking into account the advice previously described

Marked ocean access entrances

Only the Ports of Corner Inlet, Port Albert and the Gippsland Lakes (Lakes Entrance) have recognised aids to navigation to guide the Mariner through and across their respective ocean entrance sand bars. The entrances to these ports remain open at all times, however sound local knowledge and favourable environmental conditions are required to make a safe passage.

Only the Port of Gippsland Lakes (Lakes Entrance) has a permanent dredging program and aids to navigation to maintain ocean access. Leading lines may change due to weather events. Any change to leading lines is promulgated through Notice to Mariners. NTM 358 - 2022 refers, the leading line is currently on "Green Light".

Unmarked ocean access entrances

The ocean access bars at the Port of Snowy River (Marlo), Port of Mallacoota Inlet and Port of Anderson Inlet are dynamic in nature with ever changing channel configuration and depths. Ocean access can be closed off at Marlo and Mallacoota during times of low rainfall in their catchments. There are no aids to navigation to guide the mariner through and across their respective ocean entrance and bars. Ocean access navigation is very dangerous and is not recommended.

Lake Tyers - Sydenham Inlet and Tamboon Inlet, all remain closed until sufficient backup of water creates an ocean access entrance. Ocean access navigation is extremely dangerous and not recommended under any circumstances.

Other ocean access entrances are encompassed within the Waterways managed by Gippsland Ports; They include:

• Shallow Inlet - Waratah Bay entrance continuously remains open
• Kate Kearny (near Port Albert) entrance continuously remains open
• Shoal Inlet (Mann's Beach) entrance continuously remains open
• Mcloughlin's Beach entrance remains open

There are no aids to navigation to guide the mariner through and across their respective ocean entrances and bars. At all times the ocean access at these entrances remains dynamic in nature with ever changing channel configuration, strong tidal flows and shallow depths. The navigability of these entrances is unreliable and considered extremely dangerous.

Bar navigation in general

Mariners are reminded that bar crossings are regarded as extremely dangerous and can cause serious personal injury or death when unfavourable environmental conditions exist, including:

• Poor weather conditions with strong winds making the bar entrance hard to distinguish
• Large swells created by recent weather events that close off the bar entrance with breaking surf
• The run of the ebb tide which lifts and shortens sea conditions on the bar increasing risk of swamping or capsize
• Poor visibility, which may include the position of the sun relative to the vessels position when attempting to cross the bar
• Changes in sea and swell conditions from the time of departure to the time of arrival and on a day to day basis. Sea conditions can change from long distance weather events centred in the Tasman Sea or Bass Strait
• Other contributing factors that heighten bar crossing risks include:
• Inexperienced vessel operators
• Experienced persons operating an unfamiliar vessel
• Under prepared vessels and voyage planning

Passage through an entrance and sand bar should only be attempted by experienced persons with sound local knowledge at times of fair weather, smooth sea conditions at higher water with no influence from the ebb tide.

Operating vessels through an entrance and sand bar at times of heightened risk should be avoided. Vessel operators should take extra care during vessel equipment checks and conduct a safety briefing to passengers prior to departure or arrival.

Wear a lifejacket

Information regarding Bar crossing advice, safety equipment requirements, vessel preparation checks and voyage preparation checks can be found in the Victorian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook available online at Recreational Boating Safety Handbook | Transport Safety Victoria.

Mariners transiting along the Gippsland Coast are advised to consult the most recent and corrected Navigation Charts, Publications and Notices, which form the basis of sound passage planning and voyage preparation.

Vessel operators are advised to take extra precaution before and during any decision to attempt a bar crossing taking into account the advice previously described.

If in doubt, don't go out

Mariners are invited to contact the Harbour Master on 0427 610 025 should they wish to discuss port entry for any Ports under the Management of Gippsland Ports.

Pictures from Gippsland Ports website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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