Southern Peninsula passage information Cape Donne to Hamilton
Cape Donne Lt Ho (W twr R top) [Fl(3)10s68m19M] marks one of the number of headlands in this area. Most of the headlands have rocky ledges extending some distance offshore and due clearance should be given. Navigating the northern tip of the peninsula requires particular attention to the tidal streams which, as well as creating a tidal gate for slow-speed vessels, with the streams running up to 5kn, also produces dangerous overfalls out as far as Steven’s Rock Lt Ho (W twr) [Fl(2)12s79m15M]. The race itself is severe at spring tides with wind against tide. Rounding the cape is best taken at Victoria HW -4 if E bound or -5 if W bound. One mile SW of Cape Donne is False Cape with its disused Lt Ho (W twr). The capes flank Jackson Bay, which, with a favourable wind direction, makes a very useful anchorage whilst waiting for a fair tidal stream through the race.
False Cape to Cape S. Vincent
The coastline S of False Cape is steep-to, rising to some 615m at the top of Wilkinson Ridge. The coast is clear of dangers outside the 30m contour line. 2M SW of the conspic W Anjo House is an area of magnetic anomaly; errors of up to 15° have been reported. Vessels reliant on magnetic compasses should navigate with caution in this area. Cape S. Vincent Lt Ho (RW vert. striped twr) [Oc.6s56m12M] marks the southern side of Sweetwater Bay.
Dymond Reef
The reef is a 5M long coral outcrop, 2–3M offshore, which is studded with islands and isolated rocks. The reef is a popular diving area and a good lookout should be kept for diving support vessels, which tend to work the shallower eastern side of the reef. Token Rocks, at the northern extent of the reef, is marked by a Lt Ho (W twr) [Fl.5s25m7M]. A refuge station is situated 3ca SSE of Karl Island.
Cape S. Vincent to Brightwater Point
Cruising inshore of Dymond Reef may provide some temporary respite when passage making along this section of the coast in heavy weather. The judicious use of clearing bearings and a careful watch on the echo sounder opens this passage up to both daytime and night-time use. The strength of the tidal streams inshore does not vary much from those offshore. The mainland coastline is clear of any dangers outside the 10m contour.
Brightwater Point to S. Stephen’s Point
Unless deliberately making inshore in this area, it is prudent to stay offshore outside the 30m contour. This avoids the various obstructions within the bay. There are several secure anchorages in Gordon’s Bay that may be used in settled conditions. It is not advised to navigate Gordon’s Bay at night without local knowledge due to the number of unlit rocks and islands. Outer Robens (W 6 sided twr) [Oc(3)15s43m17M], Outer Stack lt (B twr W dia stripe) [Fl(4)12s14m5M] and S. Stephen’s Pt. (W twr) [Iso.6s60m24M] are the main lights in the area.
Traffic
The majority of shipping within this area tends to be coasting traffic travelling N–S or S–N. Some small coasters may be found using the inshore routes.
Tidal streams
Tidal streams are rectilinear along this section of the coast, approximately S-going on the flood and N-going on the ebb. The maximum rate, once clear of Cape Donne and False Cape, is 2.7kn.
Cape Donne to Fitzroy Bay Cape Donne to Danger Point
The initial paragraph should be read before navigating in the Cape Donne and Steven’s Rock area. The unlit Morgan Island (75m) off Cook Point should be given a wide berth; rocky ledges extend 2 cables to seaward of the island. These ledges are cliff- sided and the depth will change from over 30m to 0m in little more than a boat length. Just under 1M to the SE of Morgan Island is the aptly named Pinnacle Rock (100m). Given an offshore wind, Snakecatcher’s Bay, just W of Colville, offers a suitable temporary anchorage for vessels waiting for a favourable tide to round Cape Donne. 1M to the E of Colville breakwater is Colville Lt Ho (B&W horizontal bands) [Fl(4)20s155m9M] situated high on the cliffs of Colville Point. Beware of the isolated (3m) rock sat on the 30m contour line midway between Colville and Arundells Point. There is a conspic RW (vert) bn on Arundells Point. From Arundells Point, the 10m contour clears the ledges off Ensign Bay and leads S towards the small fishing harbour of Sandquay. Sandquay Bay can be subjected to sudden squalls when a strong westerly wind is blowing; this phenomenon is primarily caused by an acceleration zone created by the mountains. In the southern part of Sandquay Bay a shallow area (2.4m) and a rocky ledge extends 6ca N of the aptly named Danger Point. A monument on Danger Point records the losses from two ships that were wrecked on the ledge during a severe NE’ly gale in 1898.
Danger Point to Beauty Point
Isolated rocks are strewn along the shoreline between Danger Point, with its prominent monument, and Taunton Point; in some cases these rocks extend to over 5ca from the shore. Little and Great Blackstone (11m & 29m) along with Tasker Rk (41m) are the most conspicuous. All three of these rocks give excellent radar echoes. From offshore the entrance into S. Kilda is easily recognisable, lying in between the conical hills of S. Kilda (283m) to the N and Red Hill (289m) to the S. Old Chapel Head Lt Ho (W twr.) [Oc(2)8s45m15M] marks the northern entrance into Dawson Bay. Shallows exist (4.6m) almost 1M to the N of Chapel Head. A dangerous rk exists 3ca NE of the Lt Ho. In the middle of Dawson Bay is Dawson Hbr, which is protected by three natural granite breakwaters, the Inner, Middle and Outer Rocques. Outer Rocque Lt Ho (R&W spiral) [Fl(2)10s30m12M] is also fitted with a horn (2) 30s. Dawson Bay and harbour has a large tidal range (7.6m) primarily caused by the tidal surge trying to get through
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