NOtices to Marines.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 61, 9 June 1863, Page 2

NOtices to Marines.

PORT PHILLIP HEADS LIGHTHOUSES. Navigators are hereby informed that in acco"H nnco with a notice to mariners dated the 27th o December, 18(52, the alterations in Shortland's Bluff and Swan Spit Lights, and the exhibition for the first time of a light on Point Lonsdale, as notified on the 3rd February, 1863, wore carried into effect on the respective dates mentioned in such notices. Consequent upon these changes, the following sailing directions are published for the guidance of vessels navigating the entrance to Port Phillip at night; — Vessels from the southward and eastward will see the high light (fixed white) on a N £ W bearing, and the white low light (fixed white and red) onaNP bearing ; as they proceed to the N W to bring the two lights in one, the low light will c'-ange its color from white to red on a NNE £ E b .-aring. Vessels from the southward and westward sighting the high light to the eastward of NE by E should, to avoid the Barwon bight, haul out to the eastward to open the low light, which will be first sjen white on a NE by E bearing, and as the / proceed to bring the two lights in one the low Jight will change its color from white to red on a NE J E bearing. A reference" to the chart will show that, as hitherto; the best and safest course between the Heads is to keep the two Shortland's Bluff lights in one line on aNE by N and SW by S bearing ; but should the wind become scant and the vesse compelled to make a tack when in the vicinity of the Corsair Rock or the Point Lonsdale Reef, these dangers will ho avoided by vessels of light draught so long as the Shortland's Bluff low red light is kept in sight. VeEßels so circumstanced must be careful to go about or haul towards midchannel before the low light change*' from red to

■ The light (fixed red and green) on Point Lonsdale has been established to warn vessels entering or departing at night, of their vicinity to, and when they are clear of, the Lonsdale and Ferguson I rooks. ! Vessels steering from sea for Port Phillip, and j near the entrance, will first see the Point Lons dale green light on a NW by N £ N bearing-, and o long as they have it full in view they are to seawnri of the Lonsdale and Ferguson rooks, when the two colors, red and green, begiu to blend, it indicates vicinity to the line which passes on aN W by vV bearing from the light over these When the Lonsdale red light opens out full, vessels are inside of them ; and when they shut it in on a W £ N bearing, they are inside of the Corsair rock. Vessels steering towards the West Channel will avoid the reef off Shortland^s Bluff, and the bank between it and Swan Spit, and also clear the lloval George sand, when in their vicinity, by not opening oit tb.3 white light on Swan Spit, but keeping the red light in sight until within three cables' length of it, when they will be above the Royal George buoy, and should haul to the eastward, and open the white light, giving the lighthouse a berth of three-quarter's of a cable's length in passing. Vessels navigating the South Chunnel are reminded that the low light on Shortlands "Bluff now s'iows whi'e from sea up to the South Channel to the east end of Capel Sound. Vessels below Capel Sound, White Perch Buoy, will be nidod in their passage up or down the South Channel, and avoid the north sand, by not shutting the light in, it being masked on a west by north bearing. With the view of keeping the fairway to th West Channel clear, vessels of light draught are recommended, when anchoring off Shortland's Bluff, to bring up as close over towards the shore as possible on the NW side of the fairway, indicates at night by the Swan Spit light changing from red to white on a NE \ E bearing, and by day the Swan Spit lighthouse just open E of No. 1 black buoy. Vessels of heavy draught should anchor on the SE side of the fairway, which is indicated at night by the Snan Spit light changing from red to white on a NE |- N hearing, and by day the Swan Spit Lighthouse just open W of No. 2 White Perch Buoy. Masters of vessels about to anchor at night off Shortland's Bluff are requested to note that the low light shuts in on a N by W bearing. All bearings are magnetic. Charles Feugusott, Chief Harbor Master. Department of Ports and Harbors, Williarastown, 11th March, 1863.