1 September 2020
Maritime Safety Victoria has recently upgraded two state-significant navigational aids on the coast – at Marlo and Shoal Inlet (Corner Inlet).
It’s been several years in the planning and permissioning process, but MSV contractor Australian Maritime Systems has recently completed installation of new aids to navigation. Both navigational aids feature new lights, solar panels, batteries and remote monitoring equipment. The remote monitoring enables the identification of faults and outages should they occur without the need for expensive site visits to verify reported issues.
The Marlo navigational light had been in its location since before the 1930s. The new light and tower is at a better site for providing navigational guidance to operators and better performs its function as a land-fall/ location light being visible for 6 nautical miles (approximately 11 km).
The Shoal Inlet navigational light had been destroyed following significant erosion and changes to the land environment. The new tower and equipment also has a range of 6 NM.
State-significant navigational aids
As an appointed waterway manager, the Director of Transport Safety Victoria is responsible for more than $2 million of state assets and is required to assist in the upgrade and management of coastal navigational aids and lights. These are essential for the navigational safety of both commercial ships and recreational boats.
The 17 lights are located at 15 sites; from Port Campbell in the west, to Mallacoota in the east – including four at Wilsons Promontory that are only accessible by helicopter.
The lit navigational aids indicate to mariners where they are (Mallacoota), give advice as to safe water in which to pass through (Refuge Cove), and in some instances provide specific routes to be taken (Lighthouse Point, Wilsons Promontory). The navigational aids augment navigational aids operated by Victorian ports and local ports and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
Map of state-significant navigational aids, with inset photos of Shoal Inlet and Marlo, provided by Australian Maritime Systems