Local notices to mariners Local notices to mariners
Notices to mariners cover events, local issues and infrastructure issues that may affect navigation in the Auckland region.
Local navigation warnings
For any enquiries please contact: harbourmaster@at.govt.nz
Notice: 04 - 21 Fireworks Display Queens Wharf Saturday 23 January 2021
A fireworks display will take place North of Queens Wharf on Saturday night 23 January 2021 at 2200 hours duration 8 minutes.
At 1900 hours the tug Maui will tow the pyrotechnic barge from the Kauri Point Upper Waitemata Harbour Explosive Anchorage Zone to its firing position some 215 meters north of Queens Wharf
GPS location:
- Latitude 36°50’ 308 Longitude 174° 46’ 207
The tug Maui (Call Sign MAUI 1 ZMR 3990) and Support vessel Team Effort II will be on station and have a listening watch on VHF Channel 12 and 16.
A 215 meter exclusion zone will exist around the barge when in the above position.
After the display the barge will be cleared and the tug Maui will tow the pyrotechnic barge back to Halsey Street Wharf.
All mariners are requested to navigate with extreme caution when transiting the area and follow instructions given by the patrol craft.
Not to be used for Navigation
Harbourmaster’s Office
Notice: 03 – 21 General Information – Prada Cup Friday 15 January to Monday 22 February 2021
For details on how to watch the Prada Cup races, please go to the America's Cup watch on the water website. Sign up on this website to receive the latest information.
The Waitematā Harbour and approaches to the courses will be significantly busier than normal. Please navigate with caution at all times.
Due to the anticipated large number of spectator vessels, 5 knot speed limits will be in force on race days. Details are on the America's Cup watch on the water website.
All mariners should be mindful of the wake that their vessel generates and should keep their wake to a minimum by not exceeding the speed limits.
Mariners should also familiarise themselves with the dangers associated with the wake of large concentrations of vessels. They should ensure that their vessel is suitable to navigate in confused seas caused by wake. For their own safety skippers of small vessels are dissuaded from attending the event, however if they determine it is safe to do so they should ensure that lifejackets are worn by those onboard whilst navigating in congested waters.
Unpowered vessels are discouraged from attending the event due to the possibility of being affected by wake and due to them potentially being less manoeuvrable amongst concentrations of other vessels.
Buoyed transit lanes have been established adjacent to some of the courses to allow vessels to navigate around the course perimeter. These transit lanes have been surveyed to provide a depth of 2.5m at Chart Datum. As with all buoys, they should be used as an aid to navigation and Skippers should verify their position by alternate means.
Within the transit lanes, which are activated dependent on the race course being used, vessels must be capable of navigating at 5 knots, must be power driven, must have no sails hoisted and may not turn around or stop within the lane.
Spectator vessels will be managed by a fleet of Course Marshal boats. These boats will be branded as such and the crews will be warranted Enforcement Officers. Please follow instructions
given by the Course Marshalls, they are volunteering their time to keep you safe.
Spectator vessels should maintain a listening watch on VHF ch.16 and ch.04 for instructions from the Chief Marshall.
The racing yachts, team chase boats and some vital event support boats have exemptions to exceed the speed limit provided that certain conditions are met. Please do not attempt to follow or keep up with these vessels.
At the conclusion of the races, it is likely all spectators will disperse at the same time. This has the potential to generate a confused sea. Smaller vessels and vessels prone to be affected by wake are advised to wait until boat traffic subsides before navigating home.
Course A is within the Cable Protection Zone. Anchoring within the zone is prohibited. If you do anchor, course Marshalls may require you to sacrifice your anchor for later retrieval so as to
prevent damage to the cable.
Movement of vessels 40m LOA or more is restricted on race days. Masters of these vessels should contact the Harbourmaster for further information.
The whole success of the event is reliant on mariners being responsible and following the rules. Please do the right thing and help make this regatta a hugely successful, safe event.
More information is available on the America's Cup watch on the water website, and the AT HarbourMaster America's Cup information for skippers website.
Thank you.
Andrew Hayton
Auckland Harbourmaster
Notice: 02 – 21 Navigational hazard, a lost mast near Maraetai
All mariners are advised that a navigational hazard is reported near Maraetai (GPS
coordinates 36 51.289S, 175 00.569E). A 16 metre long mast was lost and attached with an
orange buoy for location.
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.
*Not to be used for navigation.
Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Notice: 01 – 21 Pipeline mobilisation to Westhaven, St Marys Bay Outfall works (Point Erin), amended.
All mariners are advised that there will be a pipeline mobilisation operation to Westhaven early morning on 14 January 2021. The pipeline is approximately 400m long and will be positioned
temporarily with a barge and anchors between yellow markers and the breakwater.
Note: The pipeline will be moved to a final position in St Marys Bay at the end of January (More information will be released when available).
Locations are identified as per the picture below.
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area and not to enter the red shaded area below.
*Not to be used for navigation.
Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Notice: 58 - 20 Removal works at Panmure Bridge, Tāmaki River Friday 18 December 2020
All mariners are advised that there will be removal of temporary steel / deck works at Panmure Bridge on Friday, 18 December 2020. A barge will be positioned at the new bridge piers with a crane. Locations are identified as per the picture below (red circles).
All mariners are advised to use the central span only for navigation. In addition, all mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.
Not to be used for navigation.
Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Notice: 54 – 20 AC36 vessel transit lanes
All mariners are advised that AC36 vessel transit lanes are currently being set up around Bastion Point, North Head, Rangitoto and Browns Island. The locations are identified as per pictures below and buoys are to be deployed as required (additional navigation lights on some buoys are also being installed). All Mariners are advised to navigate with caution while transiting these areas.
Bastion transit lane
Rangitoto transit lane
Browns Island transit lane
North Head transit lane
Not to be used for navigation
Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Notice: 46 - 20 AC75 training
Between now and the end of March 2021, the four teams competing for the Prada Cup and the Americas Cup will be testing and training on the waters of the Waitemata Harbour, Hauraki Gulf, Motuihe Channel and Tamaki Strait.
Normal Collision Prevention rules apply to all vessels and the race vessels have no special privileges.
These race vessels may be navigating at far higher speeds than those normally encountered and situations between vessels can develop very quickly. All mariners should maintain a particularly vigilant lookout when in these areas.
Whilst navigating in the Waitemata Harbour Restricted Area en-route directly to and from the training areas, the race vessels may either be escorted under sail, or be towed, by up to two syndicate branded power driven support vessels. The support vessels will exhibit orange flashing lights and will have working AIS. They should also broadcast an “all stations” call on VHF Ch.12 prior to transit. The race vessels may be navigating at up to 25kts in this area.
Brenda Orr
Maritime Officer
Notice: 44 – 20 Matiatia improvements project, Renewal works, Matiatia old wharf
All mariners are advised that renewal works will be conducted at the old wharf, Matiatia, Waiheke Island from 19 October 2020 to early March 2021 (schedule varies depending on weather permitted).
At this time, the southern berths of the old wharf will not be available for use until the work are complete. The northern side of the wharf will remain available to use. Signage will be put in place to advise people about the works.
The site and construction zone are identified as per picture below. All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while transiting this area.
Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Notice: 29 – 20 St Marys Bay Outfall works (Point Erin) – Updated, October 2020
All mariners are advised that dredging operations will be conducted at St Mary’s Bay from 7 October 2020 as part of St Mary’s Bay Water Quality Improvement Project.
An amphibious excavator will be on site with work boat supporting for the next few weeks.
*Note: This construction work is on going until the next year. More information will be released when available.
The site is identified as per picture below. All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while transiting this area.
*Not to be used for navigation.
Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Local Notice to Mariners: 28 – 20 Old Māngere Bridge - Exclusion zone
All mariners are advised of an exclusion zone around the Old Māngare Bridge from the 10 June 2020 until further notice.
Due to the Old Māngere Bridge Replacement Project, the bridge is closed for all transit or navigation. The exlusion zone extends from shore to shore, there is no safe access under the old bridge. Buoys will mark the exclusion zone, however should barges be working these will be temporarily removed and placed again afterwards.
All mariners are advised to stay at least 50 metres away from the old bridge and work area and to take care when using the Coronation Road boat ramp. Signage is available on site illustrating the exclusion zone.
Under no circumstances should a vessel try to enter the exclusion zone while the bridge demolition works are underway.
Figure 1: Old Māngere Bridge Exclusion Zone.
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.
This notice expires 15 June 2021.
Micah Madsen
Maritime Officer
Notice: 20 - 20 Significant Hazard to Navigation – Overturned barge
All mariners are advised that an overturned barge has been anchored approximately 0.75nm North of Army Bay Whangaparaoa Peninsular in position 36°35.443, 174°48.246.
The barge is marked with a Yellow special mark light FL2s – 2M. There are also Orange tear drops buoys nearby marking the anchor positions.
There are also reports of a significant amount of floating tow lines still attached to the barge.
All mariners are asked to remain well clear of this area and navigate with caution.
Figure 1: Location of Overturned Barge - not to be used for navigation.
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.
Micah Madsen
Maritime Officer
Notice: 01 - 20 Westhaven Marina - Immediate Western Entrance closures
All mariners are advised that the western most entrance to Westhaven Marina will be permanently closed from Monday 20 January 2020.
All vessels entering and existing Westhaven will need to use the main eastern entrance as pictured.The western entrance is being closed as part of the planned Westhaven Marina development. Construction barges will be working in the area and blocking the entrance (as part of the reclamation and closure), the seabed will rise to the point the entrance becomes unnavigable before a breakwater is constructed. Buoys will be installed as works continue to identify the affected area.
Under no circumstances should a vessel try to enter the Marina using this entrance while the closure works are underway.
Westhaven Marina can be contacted on VHF channel 13.
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.
Micah Madsen
Maritime Officer
Notice to Mariners: 57 - 19 Submerged pile in the approaches to Tramcar Bay Boat Yard, Whangateau
The Harbourmaster has received reports of a submerged pile in the approaches to Tramcar Bay boat
yard in the waters between Whangateau Harbour and Tramcar Bay.
All mariners are advised to navigate with extreme caution when operating in this area.
Not to be used for navigation.
Pulasthi Ranasinghe
Maritime Officer
Notice to Mariners: 22 - 19 (Amended) Ferry Basin Development Construction Zone
This notice is to be read in conjunction with the Harbourmaster direction 1-20 and Auckland Downtown Ferry Terminal Basin Navigation Safety Operating Requirements.
Extensive construction work is being undertaken on the western edge of Queens wharf and the Auckland Downtown Ferry Basin as part of the Downtown Ferry Basin Redevelopment.
In order to limit the interaction between operational vessels and construction activity a 40 metre construction zone is established. Five special marks are used to mark the construction zone. These buoys are lit with the following characteristics Fl Y 5 with a range of less than 1nm.
The demarcation buoys are installed along the Western side of Queens Wharf with the northern buoy in position 36 50.386 S 174 46.071 E.
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.
Approximate limits of the construction zone
Not to be used for navigation.
This notice expires 31 December 2020.
Pulasthi Ranasinghe
Maritime Officer
Notice: 54 – 19 AMETI Panmure Bridge, Tamaki River (updated)
All mariners are advised that Panmure bridge construction is on final staging. The temporary
steel / deck works will be removed until Mid-2021.
*Note: More information will be released when available.
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.
Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Notice: 47 - 19 Panmure Bridge Nav-Lights North side extinguished
All mariners are advised that Panmure Bridge Navigation lights North side are unreliable and may be extinguished from time to time due to construction work on the bridge.
Map not to be used for navigation.
Jason Son
Maritime Officer
Notice to Mariners: 36 - 19 Construction work Half Moon Bay North Pier Marina
All mariners are advised that construction work for the new Half Moon Bay marina extension has commenced. Construction vessels, including a Jack-up Barge will be operating in the area.
All vessels are requested to maintain a safe distance from any construction and dredging vessels.
All mariners are asked to keep their wake to a minimum and navigate with caution while transiting this area.
This notice expires: 1 November 2020
Pulasthi Ranasinghe
Maritime Officer
Harbourmaster’s Office
Notice to Mariners: 32 - 19 Motuihe Wharf Closure
All mariners are advised that the Department of Conservation has closed the Motuihe wharf due to public safety, the wharf will remain closed until further notice.
The Department is working closely with engineers to look at options available to remedy issues and re-open the wharf as soon as practicable.
The Department apologises for any inconvenience and will continue to keep the public informed as they seek solutions.
Updates will be provided on the DOC website and should you require further information, please contact the DOC hotline on 0800 362 468.
Map not to be used for navigation.
Pulasthi Ranasinghe
Maritime Officer
Notice: 28 - 18 Hobson Bay/Okahu Bay wave screen
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution in the vicinity of the Hobson Bay/Okahu Bay derelict wave screen. Mariners are reminded that they should only navigate through the recognised entry/exit (as per chart NZ 5322).
Map not to be used for navigation.
Christiaan Moss
Deputy Harbourmaster
Notice: 04 - 18 Half Moon Bay, Bucklands Beach marina damaged breakwater, low wake zone
All mariners are reminded to reduce their speed to 5 knots and/or their minimum steerage speed, in order to create a low wake while in the vicinity of the Bucklands Beach Marina. The breakwater was damage with the recent storm event and requires extensive repair. Mariners should navigate with caution while in this area.
Map not to be used for navigation.
Christiaan Moss
Deputy Harbourmaster
Notice: 50 - 17 Navigation Hazard: Sunk Yacht - Henderson Creek
All mariners are advised of a yacht 9.7 meters in length that has sunk in the Henderson Creek, potentially impeding navigation. The yacht lies on the eastern side of the creek bank.
GPS coordinates:
- Latitude 36° 44' 123
- Longitude 174° 46' 123
All mariners are advised to navigate with extreme caution when transiting the creek.
Map not to be used for navigation.
Bruce Goff
Maritime Officer
Notice 22 - 17: Wairoa River, fallen tree (upper reaches), 20 July 2017
All Mariners are advised that a large tree has fallen into the upper reaches of the Wairoa River, potentially impeding navigation.
GPS coordinates:
- Latitude 36°58’840
- Longitude 175°02’655
All mariners are advised to navigate with extreme caution in this area.
Map is not to be used for navigation.
Bruce Goff
Maritime Officer
Notice 08 - 17: Chart Plotters - updated 14 March 2017
All Mariners are reminded that electronic chart plotters are to be used as an aid to navigation and paper charts should be updated and consulted.
Electronic raster charts used on some plotters may not incorporate the latest chart corrections.
Mariners are reminded to use up to date charts for navigation and advised to contact their plotter supplier if in doubt.
Harbourmaster’s Office
Some images on this page are based on/include LINZ’s data which are licensed by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
Pest warning: Mediterranean Fanworm
The Mediterranean Farmworn is a pest which has been spotted in the Waitemata Harbour/inner Hauraki Gulf, as well as the Whangarei Harbour and Lyttleton Port.
Keep your boat's hull clean to reduce the risk of this pest clinging and causing damage to our marine life.
Marine Biosecurity Information: New Rules & Regulations
Marine pests spread easily through ballast water and hull fouling, including Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella spallanzanii) and Clubbed tunicate (Styela clava). Check to ensure your hull is clean and be aware of other regions rules before leaving Auckland.
Visit marinepests.nz for more information and to check marine biosecurity rules and regulations for different regions in the northern North Island.
Read further information on marine pests (PDF 334KB)
Weather information
For up-to-date weather information, visit the MetService website.
For VHF radio continuous weather forecast, please listen on Ch 20, 21, 22, 23 (channel depending on location).