Hydrographic Note

What is a Hydrographic Note?

Hydrographic Notes are reports conveying information that could be useful to mariners generally. Such information can be used to improve existing charts sailing directions and other nautical publications not only in the Area of Australian Charting Responsibility, but worldwide. The Area of Australian Charting Responsibility includes the waters around Australia and its territories as well as those around Papua New Guinea, see Notice to Mariners No 1.

The type of information most needed concerns safe routes through poorly surveyed waters (with courses and depths where available – see Notice to Mariners No 11), anchorages, harbour facilities, conspicuous objects, navigational aids, obstructions and other dangers that are not correctly or fully charted or described on the charts or in the Sailing Directions.

The are two types of Hydrographic Notes:

When and Why should I use a Hydrographic Note?

Mariners are requested to notify the Hydrographer, Locked Bag 8801 Wollongong, NSW 2500 (Fax + 612 4223 6599), when new or suspected dangers to navigation are discovered, changes observed in aids to navigation, or crrections to publications are seen to be necessary.

Further Information

For further information on Hydrographic Notes please refer to Page 123, Section 8 of the Australian Seafarers Handbook; Annual Australian Notices to Mariners 26 - Hydrographic Notes PDF; and the Hydrographic Note Instructions available on this website.

Reports, which will be acknowledged in Section IV of the fortnightly editions of Notices to Mariners, should be sent to:

Hydrographer of Australia
Locked Bag 8801
Wollongong
NSW 2521
or email: Hydro.NTM@defence.gov.au