Herring Bay/Garden Island navigation markers

The Department of Transport (DoT) will fast track work to install navigation markers at the entrance to Herring Bay at Garden Island.

DoT Marine Safety Acting General Manager Ray Buchholz said discussions with the local boating community following the removal of unofficial markers last month had resulted in a decision to install new markers as soon as possible.

“Herring Bay was a popular spot for recreational boating. However, the same extensive reef system that shelters the bay also makes it extremely challenging for skippers to navigate into the bay,” Mr Buchholz said.

“The location of the network of new markers is within waters controlled by the Department of Defence which has given approval for the installation.”

Representatives from DoT, the Garden Island Fishing and Aquatic Association (GIFAA), Rockingham Sea Search and Rescue, Boating WA and the Department of Defence were involved in the discussions last week.

Mr Buchholz said the representatives would join DoT officers for an on-water assessment of the area next week to confirm the exact location of the markers.

“It’s hoped the new markers will be in place by Christmas and until then the boating community is urged to navigate the area with extreme caution,” Mr Buchholz said.

“This is a popular destination for recreational boat owners and this project will greatly improve access and safety in the area.”


Posts: 877

Date Joined: 03/05/11

Is herring bay the place

Wed, 2011-11-09 19:12

Is herring bay the place around the back of Garden Island. I remember turning north too early and getting caught on the reefs. Motor conked out and some decent chips on the bottom of the hull. Navigation markers would be very handy and i rekon more people would use that area

Good Idea!

 

whipasswaverunner's picture

Posts: 181

Date Joined: 25/09/09

Herring bay

Wed, 2011-11-09 20:20

Yea Herring bay is on the North Western side of Garden Island. It can be tricky to get in and out, but if you have a decent plotter with a card you just negotiate your way in by looking at the contours of the bommies on the plotter. Thats how we did the first time and then every other time when you go back, use the track on the plotter to get in and out. 

Below is a link of Herring Bay.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=-32.158523,115.66024&spn=0.010463,0.014184&t=h&z=16&vpsrc=6

Good idea though coz there is bugger all to guide you in, if you don't have the gear.

Posts: 877

Date Joined: 03/05/11

Thanks mateWell, when we went

Wed, 2011-11-09 20:40

Thanks mate

Well, when we went in, we followed our friends boat. But we wanted to leave earlier than them and didn't know how to use our GPS so we got stuck :(

Will chck the site out thanks

Gaz Mero's picture

Posts: 80

Date Joined: 19/04/10

Good to hear.

Wed, 2011-11-09 20:26

My boat is a regular at herring bay throughout the whole year , it is a beautiful beach and only gets busy right in the middle of summer.

Crystal clear water for the kids to snorkel in over summer and a bloody good spot for a bacon and egg cook up during winter.

Every time we idle through the entrance the missus asks the same bloody question "are you watching where your going ".At least it will give her some peace of mind.

Cheers

Gazza

Posts: 6454

Date Joined: 08/08/11

The first (and only) time

Wed, 2011-11-09 21:32

The first (and only) time I went into herring bay was in a 43' power boat.  the master was directing me.  he said, stick to the light green water and go slow!  its much softer!  navigating by braille he called it.

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Fish! HARD!

Posts: 32

Date Joined: 18/08/05

 Sav Whats the name of your

Thu, 2011-11-10 12:08

 Sav Whats the name of your boat mate?? 

 

Father inlaw is a member of GIFFA and is over there very reguarly, im always there through out the year when im not away working.

 

Mitch

Jackfrost80's picture

Posts: 8138

Date Joined: 07/05/12

Planning on taking the family

Fri, 2017-11-10 11:44

Planning on taking the family to Herring Bay tomorrow morning so with the strong winds coming in around lunch would it be best to launch from Woodies/Leeuwin as I imagine it will be a far nicer trip home back through the Sound for the little ones.

Besides the 4m Great White that was there yesterday is there anything else to watch out for or do the nav markers make navigating the reefs through the entrance fairly straighforward?

Cheers JF

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Officially off the Pies bandwagon

Swompa's picture

Posts: 3868

Date Joined: 14/10/12

 With the breeze forecasted,

Fri, 2017-11-10 19:47

 With the breeze forecasted, go out from Woodies for sure. On the eastern side is Pig Trough bay which is nice when the breeze kicks up but the water is nowhere near as nice.

bleicester's picture

Posts: 219

Date Joined: 10/09/14

two entrances

Fri, 2017-11-10 12:08

There are two marked entrances.

The north entrance was tight but navigable in a 20ft glass boat. Just take your time.

The east entrance is used by the larger boats and is much easier but adds another 1.5km to the journey.  

Woodies would be the safer option in case the wind comes in earlier than forecast

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Error 404

Fish not found

Jackfrost80's picture

Posts: 8138

Date Joined: 07/05/12

Cheers bud, with any luck

Fri, 2017-11-10 12:25

Cheers bud, with any luck I'll be able to follow someone in there. I get the feeling this is where my upgrade to Navionics Platinum and use of satellite overlay is going to pay for itself to stick to the 'green water'. Now I've just got to decide which child I chuck in the water first to test for that shark...

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Swompa's picture

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Date Joined: 14/10/12

 The plotters are a guide.

Fri, 2017-11-10 19:49

 The plotters are a guide. Follow the lead lines on it but keep your eyes out of the boat also and if it looks like s rock, it will be. There are often 35-40 footers in there so it is safe, just go slowly and keep your eyes open.

 

Jackfrost80's picture

Posts: 8138

Date Joined: 07/05/12

Cheers all. The nav markers

Sat, 2017-11-11 13:17

Cheers all. The nav markers made it a breeze and it's an amazing spot to take the young kids. Just a few hezza, squid and lost a huge flounder on a vibe walking the flats.

Some twit thinks the Entrance Rocks channel is so easy they decided to drop their cray pot in it

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Officially off the Pies bandwagon

Posts: 4576

Date Joined: 01/02/10

 How did the free parking at

Sat, 2017-11-11 13:21

 How did the free parking at woodies treat you?

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Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?

Jackfrost80's picture

Posts: 8138

Date Joined: 07/05/12

I can't believe you guys have

Sat, 2017-11-11 13:46

I can't believe you guys have kept Woodies quiet for so long. No queues, no parking machines and no fwits walking behind you when you're reversing eating an icecream. Only negatives was the high ratio of CUBs, no washdown and making the mistake of driving passed Cock Burn central on the way home.

I'm gonna start handing out flyers at Hillarys promoting it this summer.

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Officially off the Pies bandwagon

Posts: 4576

Date Joined: 01/02/10

 Fine by me. I’ve moved nor

Sat, 2017-11-11 15:20

 Fine by me. I’ve moved nor and pay 300 a year for secure parking, 4 ramps, on water fuel and fresh water wash down.

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Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?

Jackfrost80's picture

Posts: 8138

Date Joined: 07/05/12

Is there a discount if you

Sat, 2017-11-11 19:10

Is there a discount if you opt for salt water wash down?

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Officially off the Pies bandwagon

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Date Joined: 01/02/10

 Sea breeze and a plate boat

Sat, 2017-11-11 19:38

 Sea breeze and a plate boat = free saltwater rinse. 

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Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?

Jackfrost80's picture

Posts: 8138

Date Joined: 07/05/12

Touche haha. The Mrs got a

Sat, 2017-11-11 21:15

Touche haha. The Mrs got a fresh stream of the sound's best straight through the clears window today when the nose dipped. Good times

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Swompa's picture

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Mate Herring bay is just the

Wed, 2017-11-22 20:19

Mate Herring bay is just the start. There are plenty of awesome spots down the back of the island. Just pick a day with no swell and an easterly and it just opens up. Put along the shoreline inside the reef and pull up on a beach with no one else at it. 

Posts: 181

Date Joined: 23/09/14

 Frosty the  majority  bag

Thu, 2017-11-23 05:41

 Frosty the  majority  bag Rockingham, I've spent my whole life here.

Free parking every where you go , free boat ramps, wash down facilities at several of them and 7 ramps that im aware of within a 15k radius.

Depending which way the wind is blowing is to which  Side of point Peron you launch from. 

Not to mention the $4 stubbies at mangles bay fishing club if your a member.

SOR  for the win :)