NOTICE TO MARINERS.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 2, 14 July 1863, Page 2

NOTICE TO MARINERS.

POET PHILLir HEADS LIGHTHOUSES. Navigators are hereby informed that in accordance with a notice to mariners dated the 27fch of December, 1802, the alterations in Shetland'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, were 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 •sight:— 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) on a N i E bearing; as they proceed to the NW to bring the two lights in one, the low light will change its color from white to red on a NNE \ W caring. Vessels from tbo 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 seen white on a NE by E bearing, and as they proceed to bring the two lights in one the low light will change its color from white to red ona KE£ 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 a NE by N and SW by S bearing ; but should the wind become scrnt and the vessc compelled to make a tack when in the vicinity of the Corsair Ilock or the Point Lonsdale Reef, these dangers will bo avoided by vessels of light draught so long as the Shortland's Bluff low red light is kept in sight. Vessels so circumstanced must be careful to go about or haul towards m-pi channel before the low light changes from red to white. 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 rocks. Vessels steering from sea for Port Phillip, and near the entrance, will first see the Point Lons dale green light on a NW by N \ N bearing, and bo long as they have it full in view they are to eearard of thß Lonsdale and Ferguson rocks, when the two colors, red and green, begin to blend, it indicates vicinity to the line which passes onaNWby W bearing from the light over these dangers. When the Lonsdale red light opens out full, vessels are ineide of them; and when they chut it, in on a "W j N bearing, they are inside of the Cor-MU-ZOCkr

Vessels steering towards the West Channel will avoid tk) reef off Shorthand's Bluff, and the bank botween it and Swan Spit, and also clear the Royal George sand, when in their vicinity,by nob opening out the white light on Swan Spit, but keeping tho red light in sifrht until within three cables' length of it, when they will bo above tlio Hoyal 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 aro reminded that the low light on Shortlands Bluff now shows while from sea up to the South Channel to the cast end of Capel Sound. Vessels below Capel Sound, White Perch Buoy, will bo aided in their passage up or down the South Channel, and avoid iho north sand, by not shutting the li-jht in, it being masked on a west by north bearing. With the view of keeping the fairway to the West Channel clear, vessels of light rhaightare recommended, when anchoring off Shortland's Bluff, to bring up as close over towards the shore as possible on the I7W side of the f-irway, indicates at ni-;!ilby the Swan Snit light clanging from red to.white on a NE i E bcarng, and by day the Swr.a Spit lighthouse just open E of No. 1 black buoy. Vessels of hoary draught should anchor on the SE side of the ,'iirway, which is indicated at night by tho Swan Spit li-rbtchnniing from red to white on a NE % N heaving, nnd by day the Swan Spit Lighthouse just open W of No. 2 Whito Perch Buoy. . Masters o? wssels nbout to anchor nt mght off Shortland's Bluff are requested to note that the low light shuts in on a N by W bearing. AH bearings uro magnetic. CHAIU.BS FEKGUBON, Chief Harbor Master. Department of Ports and Harbors, Williamstown. 11th March. 1803.