13/10/2026
Mooloolaba Entrance Update
Department of Transport and Main Roads - Maritime Safety Queensland
NOTICE TO MARINERS 542 (T) of 2026
Issued by Brisbane Maritime Region on 13 October 2026
Area: Brisbane Pilotage Area
Locality: Mooloolah River
Activity: Bar shoaling and dredging
Mariners are advised that: A hydrographic survey of the Mooloolah River and its coastal bar on Monday 12 October 2026, shows a shoal patch extending from the end of the eastern breakwater in a westerly direction across the entrance channel. The shoal has a least depth of approximately 1.1 metres at LAT within the centre white sector of the entrance channel. The shoal patch on the eastern side of the entrance channel's red sector has a least depth of 0.5 metres at LAT. The shoal patch on the western edge of the entrance channel's green sector indicated by the port entry light has a least depth of approximately 1.4 metres at LAT. There is an additional shoal patch west of the entrance channel which has a least depth of approximately 1.5 metres at LAT within the limited area of survey. Furthermore, there is a small shoal patch with a minimum depth of 2.3 metres at LAT located within the green and white sectors of the port entry within the entrance break wall.
Mariners are reminded that coastal bars, including the Mooloolah Bar, are dynamic environments where conditions and depths are currently subject to rapid changes due to prevailing weather and tidal influences. Mariners must exercise heightened caution, regularly monitor conditions, and ensure they have the latest information before navigating the area. Careful planning of bar crossings, with consideration to prevailing conditions, the state of the tide, and the draught of their vessels, is essential. The coastal bar must always be navigated with extreme caution.
Two reference marks for guidance only have been promulgated to facilitate a possible alternative route of navigation to and from the entrance channel. The reference marks can be portrayed on automatic identification system (AIS) and electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS).
Reference mark 1 (BNE MRB REF 1) positioned at 26° 40.7703' S 153° 07.8645' E and
Reference mark 2 (BNE MRB REF 2) positioned at 26° 40.7927' S 153° 07.9164' E.
Masters of vessels must remain mindful of the heightened risk of swimmers and passive craft in the area due to the proximity to Mooloolaba Beach.
Map S11-810 attached, shows the current channel.
Copies of the survey plan are available from the Sunshine Coast office of Maritime Safety Queensland at Mooloolaba.
The dredge ‘CSD Navua’ is on station and will be undertaking dredging operations, weather permitting. The dredge will exhibit day shapes and lights as required by the Collision Regulations. Whilst operating the dredge master will maintain a listening watch on VHF Channels 16 and 82. Mariners must carefully Version 2.0 May 2023 consider the position of the 'CSD Navua' its floating pipeline and anchors when navigating the bar. They should contact the dredge master to ensure it is safe to transit past the dredge. Masters of smaller recreational boats, personal watercraft, and passive craft like kayaks and canoes must remain mindful of the heightened risk to larger vessels navigating the river entrance and coastal bar. Except for entering and departing the river, these smaller vessels and passive craft should keep well clear of the coastal bar and not use it for recreational purposes.
Mariners are also reminded that the Mooloolah River entrance is defined as a coastal bar. This means that a lifejacket must be worn when boating alone or only with children under 12 years on an open boat less than 4.8m in length whilst underway; crossing designated coastal bars on an open ship and on an open area of a boat of any length and on certain craft; children one year or more and under 12 years are on an open boat or an open area of a boat of any length whilst underway; and night time boating, between sunset and sunrise on an open boat less than 4.8m in length whilst underway.
Refer to notice: none
Cancel notice: 534(T) of 2026
AUS charts affected: 236
ENC Cells affected: AU5MLL01
Latitude and longitude positions are on WGS84 horizontal datum and are compatible with GDA2020 datum.
For further information about this notice, please contact: The Brisbane Regional Harbour Master’s office: Phone: 07 3632 7500 Email: [email protected]
Notice authorised by: Regional Harbour Master (Brisbane) - Maritime Safety Queensland
