NOTICE TO MARINERS
Port of Corner Inlet and Port Albert
Entrance to Port Albert – Port Albert Channel Approach
Shoaling Depths Compromised
DATE: 3 February 2017
DETAILS: Mariners are advised that recent Bathymetric Survey results have identified that shoaling has occurred midway between the Port Albert Fairway Buoy RW (L Fl.10s) in Charted Position :
Lat. 38° 43.974’ S
Lon. 146° 42.675’ E Datum WGS84
And the Outer Green Buoy (Fl.G.3s) in Charted Position:
Lat. 38° 44.743’ S
Lon. 146° 41.261’ E Datum WGS84
The shoal has been identified with least depths less than 0.3m (LAT) and extends for a distance of approximately 300 metres along the length of the channel and encroaches into the channel by approximately 100 metres. Deeper water of 3.0 metres (LAT) exists in the channel to the Northwest of the area of shoaling.
The Bathymetry results also confirm that channel configurations are changing. An opening through the bar has become apparent to the Southeast of the entrance with least depths of 1.3 metres LAT being recorded.
Further Bathymetric surveys are planned over the coming months to confirm the changing channel configuration. Until that time the Fairway Buoy and Outer Green Buoy will remain in their current positions as the best water over the Bar still lies to the Northeast of the Entrance.
Gippsland Ports is planning to relocate the Fairway Buoy and Outer Green Buoy when survey results indicate a deeper approach to the Port Albert Entrance.