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: 39-20 Kennedy Point ferry terminal fender pile installation work 31 August to 25 September 2020

All mariners are to be advised that between 31 August to 25 September 2020 the marine contractor STF Limited will be installing new fender piles at the Kennedy Point ferry terminal facility.

All vessels are requested to keep speed and wake to an absolute minimum when transiting Kennedy Point Putiki Bay. There will be multiple tug and barge movements in the Kennedy Point area throughout this period.

All mariners are advised that a semi submerged mussel buoy is spotted approximately 1.5 nautical miles away from Southeast of Motuihe Island.



*Not to be used for navigation.

Bruce Goff

Maritime Officer

Notice: 37-20 Navigational Hazard semi-submerged mussel buoy

All mariners are advised that a semi submerged mussel buoy is spotted approximately 1.5 nautical miles away from Southeast of Motuihe Island.

All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area.



*Not to be used for navigation.

Jason Son

Maritime Officer

Notice: 33 – 20 Northcote wharf rebuild

Please note, construction will start on Northcote wharf on Monday 6 July 2020.

The work will involve stationing construction barges in and around the old wharf. These barges will also transit between the site, Birkenhead wharf and Westhaven for loading and berthage. The current project duration is roughly 89 working days from 6 July 2020 until 6 October 2020.

All mariners are advised to navigate with caution while operating in this area and to keep any wakes to a minimum. Please be aware and reduce speed as much as possible when transiting the area.



*Not to be used for navigation.

Gareth Williams

Maritime Officer

Notice: 29 – 20 St Marys Bay Outfall works (Point Erin) - updated

All mariners are advised that pipeline casing installations will be carried out in the vicinity of Point Erin from 28 July 2020 to 3 August 2020 (period may vary depending on process).

Barges will be on site with tug supporting, and diving operations will be carried out as well.

Note: This construction work is on going until the end of the 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 1-16 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 November 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.

Soil investigation drilling from barge. Approximate barge location: Yellow shaded area. Estimated period: 16 December 2019 to 30 November 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.

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: 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 October 2020.

Pulasthi Ranasinghe

Maritime Officer

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: 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).