Navigational safety
Safe navigation is the responsibility of every mariner. To assist in safe navigation, there is physical infrastructure such as buoys, beacons and lights for guidance. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure also regularly issues information about activities or hazards in specific areas that mariners need to know before they go boating. There are also rules and regulations around what can be placed in the water or removed from the water, as well as rules around public events.
Navigation aids
There are a number of navigational aids administered by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure around the state; these navigational aids are identified by a number which is placed on the navigational aid itself. Navigational aids are strategically placed in water and onshore to ensure that the boating community can safely transit through waterways.
It is important to be aware of what is meant by the various marks, buoys, beacons and lights. Take time to study a chart as well as the lights and topmarks to familiarise yourself with their meaning. To view the most common types of navigational aids and what they mean please click on the navigational aids link.
Please remember, that it is illegal for you to moor to a navigational aid. It carries a penalty of $500.
Aquaculture Leases
Navigable waters contain other hazards to mariners such as aquaculture leases. Department for Planning and Infrastructure charts have the boundaries of aquaculture leases marked on them. These leases may have active areas where you cannot navigate your vessel and which may be anywhere within the boundaries of the lease. These areas are marked by special marks which may be either lit or unlit and mariners should keep well clear of these specially marked areas.
Fault reporting
Should you see a navigational aid that has been damaged, missing or if the light is not functioning or you see a navigational hazard you can report it either by email to the department at navigational.safety@dpi.wa.gov.au or by calling the Marine Operations Centre on 9431 1000 or the Water Police. . When you are reporting a fault you should include the position/location of the navigational aid and type of fault occurring for example; topmark missing, light not working, buoy out of position.
Temporary notices to mariners
Temporary notices to mariners are designed to advise mariners of events that may present navigational difficulties, such as the installation of infrastructure (e.g. a new jetty being built, a harbour being developed or the installation of a navigation aid or an environmental monitoring station); dredging or other operations that can hinder the safe passage of vessels through that particular area; special events such as fireworks displays where boating is restricted; or changes to rules in a specific area such increased or decreased speed limits.
Temporary notices to mariners will contain details such as:
- location;
- type of activity;
- time / duration of activity;
- whether you can navigate in the area or whether there is no boating allowed for the duration of works; and
- details of any special changes or rules.
The notice to mariners may also contain information whether machinery or infrastructure will be left in the location overnight.
Temporary notices to mariners are regularly published in the PUBLIC NOTICES section of State and local newspapers.
Notices to mariners
Changes to chart information occurs regularly, this information is put out to the public by means of a Notice to Mariners which notifies mariners of permanent changes to existing charts. To access this information you can click on the Notice to Mariners - chart information link.
Navigation warnings
Navigation warnings are temporary notices that are generally issued in emergency or urgent situations. Weather and navigation warnings covering the Perth metropolitan waters (within 20 nautical miles) are broadcast on VHF Channels 16 and 67 at 0718 and 1918 hours western standard time by the WA Water Police. These warnings are also broadcast by local volunteer sea rescue groups. Weather and tidal information is also available on the Bureau of Meteorology website: http://www.bom.gov.au/.
Events on water and installations
Should you wish to hold a public event or install objects anywhere in navigable waters you will need to seek permission. If you install an object or hold an event without authorisation you may be infringed so it is best to seek authorisation prior to undertaking any activity. Please contact the Department and we will provide you with the appropriate application form. The email address for this is: navigational.safety@dpi.gov.au , or you can write to the Navigational Safety section.
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