Harbourmaster's directions, standards and notices

Notice to mariners

A Notice to Mariners (NtM) reports maritime safety information on Northern Territory (NT) waters.

This includes:

  • closed waters (exclusion zones)
  • new hydrographic information
  • changes in channel depths
  • aids to navigation.

They're shared to mariners (recreational and commercial) and maritime-related organisations.

Marine operators are also required by law to report navigational hazards or dangers.

Types of notices

A notice can appear as a:

  • permanent notice - changes to information which result in a chart correction released by the Australian Hydrographic Service
  • preliminary notice (P) - a pre-emptive notification of a permanent change
  • temporary notice (T) - information valid only for a limited time.

Find notices below. They may also be published in local and state-wide print media and reproduced in the Australian Notices.

Port of Darwin local notices

NT coastal notices - whole of NT waters

Contact

If you would like to be added to the email distribution list, email ntm@nt.gov.au.

For more information, contact the regional harbourmaster.


Regional harbourmaster's directions and notices

The harbourmaster's directions and notices provide advice and instructions for ships’:

  • masters
  • agents
  • owners.

Find out the latest directions and notices below.

Directions

Government Gazette No. S65 - notice of closed waters and authorisation Port of Darwin, Bladin Point PDF (89.5 KB)

Regional harbourmaster’s direction for under keel clearance requirements DOCX (71.0 KB)
Regional harbourmaster’s direction for under keel clearance requirements PDF (165.6 KB)

Government Gazette No. S73 - declaration of exempt vessels, Port of Darwin - inner pilotage area PDF (137.9 KB)

Notices

If you're planning to start an international voyage to Australia, you must read the rules around non-commercial vessels arriving in Darwin Port.

The following are written notices to the owners.

Contact

For more information, contact the regional harbourmaster.


Install and use a buoy mooring in Darwin

A buoy mooring is a floating device used to secure vessels. It can be used instead of anchoring and other forms of securing.

To install a buoy mooring for a recreational or commercial vessel, you must have a permit.

Permits are valid for 4 years from the date of issue.

Before you apply

Before you apply, you should read the Darwin buoy mooring standards PDF (952.9 KB).

The standards outline:

  • what information you need to include in your application
  • rules on installation, maintenance and ongoing regulation of buoy moorings required under section 53 of the Ports Management Act 2015.

Apply for a permit

To apply for a mooring permit, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in a mooring permit form:

Apply for a new mooring permit form PDF (581.0 KB)
Apply for a new mooring permit form DOCX (142.0 KB).

Step 2. Email your completed form to rhm@nt.gov.au.

If your application is successful, you will get a permit.

Renew a permit

You can apply to renew your permit 30 days before your current permit expires. You must renew no later than 7 days before the expiry date.

To renew your permit, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in a mooring permit renewal form:

Apply to renew a mooring permit PDF (460.0 KB)
Apply to renew a mooring permit DOCX (145.6 KB).

Step 2. Email your completed form to rhm@nt.gov.au.

If your application is successful, you will get a renewal permit.

Transfer a permit

If you want to transfer a permit to another person, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the transfer a mooring permit form:

Apply to transfer a mooring permit form PDF (460.5 KB)
Apply to transfer a mooring permit form DOCX (144.6 KB).

The new permit holder will also need to sign the form.

Step 2. Email your completed form to rhm@nt.gov.au.

If your application is successful, you will get a revised permit.

Contact

For more information, contact the regional harbourmaster.