Northern Territories passage information
Point Victoria to Cape Woodward (Cape Balshaw)
Point Victoria is a steep-to headland with a conspic lighthouse (BW hor bands) [Fl10s72m23M] situated in front of a conical hill (485m). Dangerous rocks extend a mile off the headland north of Point Victoria; these rocks, combined with the strong tidal stream, generate large standing waves out to 1.5M. Prudent mariners should give the Point a respectable clearance. There is no inshore passage as such and the visible wrecks on the shoreline are there to remind us of those who have tried to find one.
Between Point Victoria and Victoria harbour there is Othery Rk situated 1M offshore. An isolated granite pinnacle (dries 1m) causes a breaking sea in all but the slightest swell. Knights Bank (7.8m) 4ca to the SE also breaks occas.
Victoria Bay to West Point
West Point is a conspicuous flat-topped headland. It has a W square twr Lt Ho [Fl(2)20s61m19M] and keeper’s dwellings attached. The point has a dangerous race offshore, which extends some 3M to seaward. The race is mainly due to the rapid change in depth off the headland, from 7m on the ledge to over 100m 1.6M further offshore, and the strong tidal stream. A lit (Q.R) PHM is situated near the seaward part of the race. There is no viable inshore passage for the race except for local lobster boats and then only in settled conditions. The coastal waters between Point Victoria and Hill Head may be subjected to strong katabatic gusts when an easterly airstream is blowing.
West Point to S. Anthony’s Head
From a waypoint off the overfalls at West Point to another 0.5M to seaward of Bramble Rocks, there are no offshore dangers. In suitable conditions Stubbington Bay, S of Hill Head, provides a useful anchorage. S. Anthony’s Lt Ho (Gy 8 sided Twr) [Fl.5s33m15M] marks the potentially dangerous Bramble Rks situated some 0.6M offshore and the start of the inshore firing range at Browndown.
S. Anthony’s Head to Cape Woodward
The Army firing range at Browndown, between S. Anthony’s Head and Tindall Point, extends 1.5M offshore. Firing normally takes place 0900–1700 on weekdays only and firing will be indicated by R flags flown from 3 FS on the shore. Vessels are requested to keep clear of the range when firing is taking place. Outside the 10m contour, there are no dangers on this section of the coast until the SW reefs (4.9m) off Cape Woodward itself, which are indicated by the breakers in the locality in all but the calmest sea state.
Cape Woodward to Cape Balshaw
2M to the S of Cape Balshaw and its Lt Ho (BW chequers) [Fl(2+1)30s87m22M] is the dangerous isolated Robinson Rk. (dries 1m) and to the SE of the Lt Ho is Cohen Rk (awash at CD); the sea breaks heavily in both areas. Navigators must be especially vigilant in this area. In settled conditions and good visibility, it is possible for Small Craft to pass inshore of both rks.
Traffic
Vessels over 100m LOA approaching from the W that are bound for either Dunbarton or Synka Oil Terminal must initially use the eastbound TSS, changing to the westbound TSS at the Lawrence LANBY roundabout.
Tidal streams and currents
Within a few miles of the coasts, the tidal streams are generally rectilinear in nature, following the line of the coast. Further offshore, although the stream is biased to the NNW/SSE flow, they assume a rotatory nature. The tidal stream floods from NW to SE, attaining rates of up to 4kn, so careful planning is required for slow-speed craft when passage making. The ‘Northern Current’, which is noticeable N of Point Victoria, curves offshore S of this point and any effect S of this latitude is negligible.
Cape Woodward to Misery Point including Beaufort Bay
Beaufort Bay
Beaufort Bay has an area approximately 15M square; it contains some 15 islands and many rocky outcrops. There are numerous harbours and anchorages within the bay, many only a few miles apart, which are suitable for Small Craft.
The area is well charted and is a rewarding cruising ground although due navigational diligence is required, especially in poor visibility. The tidal streams run hard in some sounds and passes; therefore transits, charted or opportunistic, may be the most useful aid to pilotage in some areas.
Isolated shoals and rocks
In the northern sector of the bay, four shoal areas warrant special mention. W to E, these are, a) Louisa Rocks, situated 1 mile E of Stevens Bay. This rocky plateau shoaling to a least depth of 3.3m is well marked by a R&W chequered lighthouse [Fl.6s17m12M] Racon (Q) (3cm) and a Q NCM. To the NW of the rocks is an obstruction, least depth 1.7m, marked by a VQ NCM. b) Hill Shoal, 5M to the SE of Port Fraser entrance marked by a SCM. [VQ(6)+LFl.10s5M]. c) Kay Island, situated just over 1M NNW of Hill Shoal, is an unlit island some 14m high which has isolated rocks to the S and E of the main island. d) Back Shoal, 3M to the N of Strong Holm, is an isolated rock sat on a 9m plateau and marked by an IDM [Fl(2)5s5M].
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