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
Local Notice to Mariners: 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.
This notice expires 1 July 2020.
Micah Madsen
Maritime Officer
Local 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
Local Notice to Mariners: 22 – 19 (Amended) Ferry Basin Development Construction Zone
This notice is to be read in conjunction with the Harbourmaster direction 1-16 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 Western (Adjacent to Panmure Bridge), Tamaki River 2 December 2019 to 30 June 2020
All mariners are advised that construction work is being undertaken around the Panmure Bridge (western side). Refer to the below for the construction schedule.
- Estimated period: 2 December 2019 to 16 December 2019.
Soil investigation drilling from barge.
Approximate barge location: Yellow shaded area. - Estimated period: 16 December 2019 to 30 June 2020.
Staging construction.Approximate staging location: Red shaded area from Western side to Eastern side.
Figure 1: Picture showing soil investigation drilling and staging
Not to be used navigation
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.
This notice expires 30 June 2020.
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: 45 – 19 Cruise Ship Ovation of the Seas Waitemata Harbour Visits 2019/2020
Ovation of the Seas will be visiting Auckland, the ship will be in the Waitemata Harbour off Stanley Point in the early morning, and will depart in the evening. The ship is here on 1 day visits only on the dates below:
- Sunday 8 March 2020.
- Monday 16 March 2020.
While the ship is holding station between the No 1 and 2 anchorages on dynamic positioning. There will be a 50 metre exclusion zone around the ship. No unauthorised vessels are to approach the Ovation of the Seas.
In addition, all mariners are asked to keep their wake to a minimum while in the vicinity of the Ovation of the Seas, as she will be conducting tender operations throughout the day.
Not to be used for navigation.
Bruce Goff
Maritime Officer
Local 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.
Additional Note: Borehole drilling - Glendowie
Exploratory borehole drilling will take place off Glendowie (mouth of Tamaki River) on Monday 14 & Tuesday 15 October 2019. All mariners are asked to navigate with caution while transiting this area.
This notice expires: 1 May 2020
Pulasthi Ranasinghe
Maritime Officer
Harbourmaster’s Office
Local Notice to Mariners: 33-19 Construction work near Viaduct Harbour
Extensive construction work is being undertaken in the vicinity of the Viaduct Harbour in preparation for the Americas Cup.
Mariners should proceed with extreme caution and should give construction vessels a wide berth as they may have extending ground tackle.
All mariners are advised that during the construction period all but essential navigation within the Viaduct Harbour and approaches should be avoided.
Any vessel that require to enter or leave the Viaduct must make positive contact with “Viaduct Control” on VHF Channel 73 and comply with their instructions.
Map not to be used for navigation.
This notice expires 1 April 2020.
Pulasthi Ranasinghe
Maritime Officer
Local 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: 27-19 Breakwater construction work (barge & anchor positions), Wynyard Quarter
All mariners are advised that the AMS Gladstone barge will begin construction of Breakwater 1 alongside Wynyard Wharf and progressively work her way east (please see positioning drawings below). The barges will be marked on their eastern corners by white all-round flashing lights.
While in these positions, the AMS Gladstone will be held by anchors extending from the barge towards the east. The anchors are marked by yellow anchor buoys with white flashing lights. All vessel skippers working in the area need to make themselves aware of the anchor positions. Under no circumstances are any vessels to travel between the barge and the anchor buoys. The mooring lines between the barge and anchors are a taut wire rope that rises directly from the anchor (there is no ground chain).
The AMS Gladstone can be contacted on VHF12 in the event of a query or when coordination is required.
Figure 1 & 2: Breakwater barge construction positioning information.
All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.
This notice expires 1 February 2020.
Christiaan Moss
Deputy Harbourmaster
Notice: 10-19 Old Mangere Bridge Closure
All mariners are advised that the NZ Transport Agency have closed the Old Mangere Bridge. The agency have confirmed that Spans 8 & 9 are open, all mariners are advised to transit through the navigable spans with extreme caution.
Read the clearance details (PDF 447KB)
Gareth Williams
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: 15-18 Manukau Harbour
All mariners please be advised that as of the 30 March 2018 the South Head signal station at the entrance to the Manukau Harbour will no longer be maintaining a watch and Ports of Auckland will no longer routinely survey the Manukau Bar.
All mariners should proceed with caution while navigating in this area.
Map not to be used for navigation.
Wesley Klopper
Maritime Officer
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
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).