CHARTSCHEME 2023

This area experiences complex tides and strong tidal streams, with a highly mobile seafloor, presenting an enhanced risk to vessels transiting the area.

A significant volume of shipping transits this area annually, which is critical to the Australian economy. This activity aims to achieve a single continuous survey of the entire UKCM area to improve the quality of bathymetric data used by the UKCM system.

The current charted information is a mix of good quality data down to ZOC C data in some sections. This project will make the charted data all A1.

ENC's : AU5TIS01 AU411141 AU411142 AU220140 AU130120

Paper Charts: Aus299 Aus292 Aus293 Aus294 Aus296 Aus700 Aus839 Aus841 Aus842 Aus301 Aus4603

Number of affected products: 16

This Charting project area comprises a section of the Two-Way Route and adjoining waters, and lies within the Torres Strait Particularly Sensitive Sea Area. Two-Way Routes are internationally recognized ship routeing systems used in major, congested shipping areas around the world to reduce the risk of collisions and groundings. Depths are predominately less than 30 meters, with numerous reefs within or bordering the survey area; strong tidal streams can also be experienced in the area.

Sections of the charting area were last systematically surveyed either during wartime in 1940-44 or by surveys conducted between 1989-1993; this projects expands on work conducted previously to obtain modern chart data within the Two Way Route. Data in this project will update the bathymetric chart and help protect this environmentally sensitive and navigationally critical area. The current charted data is ZOC B.

ENC's : AU411142 AU411143 AU410143 AU210140 AU220140 AU130120

Paper Charts: Aus292 Aus837 Aus839 Aus840 Aus841 Aus377 Aus4603 Aus4060

Number of affected products: 14

Areas of low quality data exist in the survey area, within which depths range from less than 5 metres to greater than 50 metres in deep channels. The area was last systematically surveyed between 1935-1938 using instrumentation that did not provide full seafloor coverage. The planned Charting activity will increase maritime safety in this heavily transited area.

The charting project area also includes updates of the North Channel within Clarence Strait, a constrained passage connecting Beagle Gulf to Van Diemen Gulf. This will greatly improve the quality of the bathymetric chart and increase navigational safety in the region. The current charted information is ZOC B and C

ENC's: AU412130 AU412131 AU413130 AU413131 AU220130 AU130120

Paper Charts: Aus20 Aus720 Aus309 Aus4603 Aus4060

Number of affected products: 11

The Gulf is relatively shallow, predominantly less than 40 metres, with numerous shoal banks located throughout. These shoals, along with the strong tidal streams that can be experienced in the area, make navigation through parts of Van Diemen Gulf complex.

The planned charting activity includes survey of an inshore passage that connects Clarence Strait to Dundas Strait, which is used as an alternative route to the charted recommended shipping track, passing North-East of the Vernon Islands. The majority of this area was last systematically surveyed between 1927 and 1937. Data from these surveys will greatly enhance navigational safety within the Gulf and may potentially lead to the establishment of a new inshore recommended track through Van Diemen Gulf. The current charted information is ZOC B and C.

ENC's : AU412131 AU220130

Paper Charts: Aus20 Aus720 Aus721 Aus309

Number of affected products: 6

Much of the area was last surveyed around 1910 - 1914, with additional sparse soundings obtained through the National Mapping program in 1973. The Channel is shallow, with depths less than 20 metres, and has numerous shoal banks located throughout. Significant tidal variation increases the navigational complexity for mariners operating in this environmentally sensitive region. The current charted information is ZOC C, so this project will significantly enhance the products in this area.

ENC's: AU318121 AU417122 AU418122 AU220120 AU130120

Paper Charts: Aus323 Aus324 Aus4722 Aus4603 Aus4060

Number of affected products: 10

The area was last systematically surveyed around 1947-1948, with some additional sparse soundings provided through the National Mapping program from between 1974-1979.

The shipping routes pass close to conservation and sanctuary zones within these parks, as well as a number of outlying reefs of which the full extent are not accurately known. This Charting project to incorporate new survey information will improve mariner’s ability to navigate safely through the area. The data within the products currently charted is ZOC C.

ENC's: AU416123 AU416124 AU220120 AU130120

Paper Charts: Aus730 Aus732 Aus320 Aus323 Aus4722 Aus4603 Aus4060

Number of affected products: 11

More than 100 ship-wrecks have been recorded along the coast of the Furneaux Group, which lies in the path of the strong winds associated with the Roaring Forties and the heavy seas they generate, making the island group a natural shipping hazard.

Many parts of the island group are very poorly charted, with historical surveys dating from the late 1800s, and additional reconnaissance sounding conducted in 1985 as part of the National Mapping program, using technology that was not able to ensure full feature detection.

This Charting project extends East of Cape Barren Island from the 20 metre contour eastwards to overlap with existing data along the continental slope. Data in this project area will be used to update the bathymetric charts, verify the existence of reported features and facilitate safe navigation in the region. The current charted information is ZOC B and C.

ENC's : AU441148 AU250140 AU160120

Paper Charts: Aus767 Aus798 Aus800 Aus487 Aus4601 Aus4060 Aus4074

Number of affected products: 10

The Furneaux Group is a cluster of more than 50 islands and rocks located on the Eastern side of Bass Strait, the largest being Flinders, Cape Barren and Clarke Islands. More than 100 ships wrecks have been recorded along the coast of the Furneaux Group, which lies in the path of the strong winds associated with the Roaring Forties and the heavy seas they generate, making the island group a natural shipping hazard. Many parts of the island group are very poorly charted, with historical surveys dating from the late 1800s, and additional reconnaissance sounding conducted in 1985 as part of the National Mapping program, using technology that was not able to ensure full feature detection. 

This project area is at the South-East of Flinders Island and will join multiple Chart Scheme projects together to create a seamless area of high quality charted information. The area is currently charted with a ZOC C area, so this project will significantly enhance the safety of navigation in these products.

ENC's: AU440148 AU441148 AU240140 AU250140 AU160120

Paper Charts: Aus179 Aus798 Aus800 Aus487 Aus4601 Aus4074 Aus4060

Number of affected products: 12

Many parts of the island are very poorly charted, with historical surveys primarily and reconnaissance sounding conducted around 1985-90 as part of the National Mapping program, using technology that was not able to ensure full feature detection.

The planned Charting activity will include SI 1036 HIPP survey which extends from approximately the 30 metre contour, adjoining a historical survey further inshore, and proceeding eastwards to overlap with existing data along the continental slope. Data from this survey will be used to update the bathymetric chart, verify the existence of reported features and facilitate safe navigation in the region.

The area is currently charted with a ZOC C area, so this project will significantly enhance the safety of navigation in these products.

ENC's: AU440148 AU240140 AU160120

Paper Charts: Aus800 Aus487 Aus4601 Aus4074 Aus4060

Number of affected products: 8

The Furneaux Group is a cluster of more than 50 islands and rocks located on the Eastern side of Bass Strait, the largest being Flinders, Cape Barren and Clarke Islands. More than 100 ships wrecks have been recorded along the coast of the Furneaux Group, which lies in the path of the strong winds associated with the Roaring Forties and the heavy seas they generate, making the island group a natural shipping hazard. Parts of the island group are very poorly charted, with historical surveys dating from 1872-73, 1953 and 1986-1987, using technology that was not able to ensure full feature detection.  

This Charting project will incorporate the SI 1032 HIPP survey that is being conducted using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, to chart the shallow coastal waters from an aircraft to depths of 20 metres.

ENC's: AU5FIW01 AU5LAB01 AU440147 AU440148 AU441147 AU441148 AU240140 AU250140 AU160120

Paper Charts: Aus179 Aus798 Aus800 Aus487 Aus4601 Aus4060 Aus4074

Number of affected products: 16

Van Diemen Gulf forms the North-East approach to the Port of Darwin, which serves as the Northern gateway for a significant proportion of the Australasian trade network. This section of the Gulf is relatively shallow, predominately less than 50 metres, with numerous shoal banks located throughout. The existence of these shoals, along with the strong tidal streams that can be experienced throughout the area, makes navigation of Van Diemen Gulf a complex undertaking. 

SI 1027 encompasses the charted Recommended Track between Clarence Strait and Dundas Strait, which was last systematically surveyed in 1935-1937 using technology that was not able to ensure full feature detection. Expanding upon the area surveyed by SI 1003 (HydroScheme 2021), SI 1027 aims to achieve full bathymetric coverage of the shipping routes in order to improve the level of confidence mariners have in the location and extent of hazardous features. 

ENC's: AU412131 AU413131 AU220130

Paper Charts: Aus20 Aus720 Aus721 Aus4603 Aus4060

Number of affected products: 8

Tibar Bay Port Facility.

Due to be operational in May 2022, this new state-of-the-art port has a wharf with two berths, and a container terminal with capacity to handle one million containers per year. This port will connect Timor-Leste to the global market and improve commercial access to agricultural, tourism, fisheries, livestock, and other industries. The new port will be crucial in assisting Timor-Leste's future production capabilities and facilitate its connectivity to Asia and beyond.

The port will consist of; a 630 m (2,070 ft) wharf allowing for 15 m (49 ft) draft vessels, and a 29 ha (72 acres) container yard.

The harbour and approaches have recently been surveyed by the Royal Australian Navy and two new charts have been schemed to cover the harbour and the approaches.

Aus908 - Porto Baía De Tibar– 1:3750 (ENC 1:4000) is a new large scale half chart covering the berths and container facility.

Aus907 - Approaches to Porto Bau De Tibar - 1:10000 (ENC 1:8000) is a new chart which will cover the approaches to Tibar port facility. The area is currently covered by small scale poor quality data. The new chart will be a large scale chart containing high quality survey data, aiding traffic approaching the port.

ENC's: AU5CA2HE AU409125 (Proposed)

Paper Charts: Aus907 Aus908

Number of affected products: 4

Dili has undergone recent port development and infrastructure changes. A new large scale harbour chart (Aus911) will more accurately depict the changes and allow greater confidence for vessel berthing. Currently covered by poor quality ZOC D data, the new chart will portray A1 data at an increased scale, focusing largely on the berthing facilities. Beyond this the current Aus 901 Dili (1:10000) will be upgraded from poorly surveyed ZOC D and older ZOC B areas with new modern ZOC A1 and ZOC B survey data. The chart will also have a title change becoming "Approaches to Dili" and be used to guide vessels onto the new large scale harbour chart.

Aus911 - Porto Baía De Dili– 1:3750 (ENC 1:4000)

Aus901 - Approaches to Dili– 1:3750 (ENC 1:4000) - currently exists but will be updated with new survey data.

ENC's: AU5CA2HE AU409125 (Proposed)

Paper Charts: Aus911 Aus901

Number of affected products: 4

The Chart will facilitate safe passage to the Caitehu cement jetty

Aus910 - Approaches to Caitehu– 1:10000 (ENC 1:8000) - will be a new chart in the 1:10000 series

ENC's: AU5CA2HE AU409125 (Proposed)

Paper Charts: Aus910

Number of affected products: 3

Hera is a small naval and fishing port east of Dili. It is currently undergoing a port upgrade under the ‘Port Hera Infrastructure Arrangement’ which will accommodate two new Guardian-class Patrol Boats, expected to be delivered in 2023.

A new jetty has also been constructed for the Hera Power Plant, west of the Naval wharf.

A rescheme of the current chart of Hera and the Approaches to Hera has been proposed.

ENC's: AU5CA2HE AU409125 (Proposed)

Paper Charts: Aus906 Aus909

Number of affected products: 4

With the finalisation of the 1:10000 series paper charts and ENC a new chart Caitehu to Hera at 1:37500 (ENC 1:22000) covering the larger scale charts will complete the charting in the Dili region.

ENC's: AU5CA2HE AU409125 (Proposed)

Paper Charts: Aus904

Number of affected products: 3

A recent survey of the area between New Hanover and New Ireland was conducted to improve the poor quality bathymetric data ( ZOC C and D and older ZOC B) currenty existing on PNG666 and PNG543.

Survey details

A LADS survey of Kavieng and Rabaul will be used to update poorly surveyed ZOC C, D and unsurveyed areas.

PNG666 – Kavieng Harbour – 1:50000 (ENC 1:45000) and plan Kavieng 1:12500 (ENC 1:12000) – are extensively covered by the new survey. New Editions of the chart and associated ENCs will be compiled.

PNG543 – Fangalawa Bay to Cape Matanalem – 1:150000. This chart and ENC will have a substantial update, improving the current poor quality ZOC C, D and unsurveyed data with modern LADS ZOC B data.

ENC's: PG5666P1 PG403150

Paper Chart: PNG666 PNG543

Number of affected products: 4

Port Noro is the second largest port in the Solomon Islands, accommodating domestic and international shipping, including passenger, freight and fishing fleets. An infrastructure upgrade increasing the capacity and efficiency of Port Noro is underway. The current wharf in Noro is not suited to accommodate larger vessels nor increased shipping demands.  The new upgrade will ensure Noro can meet the future shipping needs of Solomon Islands for many years to come.

A new MBES survey has been rendered to update the port and approaches with high quality data.

ENC's: SB5102P3 SB409157

Paper Chart: SLB102P3 SLB102P4

Number of affected products: 4

Larsemann Hills is a series of low coastal hills along the shore of  Prydz Bay , south of Davis Station. It is an East Antarctic logistical hub, home to several International Antarctic research stations, including bases from Australia, India, China and Russia.

Although there is significant vessel traffic in the region, no large scale hydrographic chart exists for this location. Currently the area is poorly surveyed, depicted on small scale chart Aus451 at 1:500000.

The Larsemann Hills Project is a joint AHO and Indian Hydrographic Office initiative to produce new larger scale navigation products ensuring safer vessel transit into the Larsemann Hills area.

Initially the project aims to deliver a new Paper Chart “Approaches to Larsemann Hills” 1:50 000 and associated ENC, helping ensure safer navigation and environmental protection within the area.

ENC's: AU4595P0

Paper Chart: Aus595

Number of affected products: 2

Lake Macquarie is a large coastal lake located 120 km north of Sydney and to the south of Newcastle. The lake has an overall length of 22 km in the north-south direction and has a maximum width of 8 km. The foreshore has many bays and headlands. The maximum depth of the lake is approximately 16 metres with a mean depth of 5.3 metres. The lake is twice as large as Sydney Harbour and supports a wide range of sea life and environmental habitats. Lake Macquarie is connected to the Pacific Ocean at Swansea by a constricted channel. The water level in the lake does not have a significant tidal influence.  

Lake Macquarie is widely regarded as one of the best yachting waterways in Australia for small to medium sized vessels, and is home to a number of amateur sailing and yachting clubs. Three licensed clubs provide commercial facilities (Royal Motor Yacht Club, Lake Macquarie Yacht Club and Belmont 16s) such as marinas and restaurants to support yachting activities.

Currently the AHO doesn’t chart any information of Lake Macquarie, this project will create an extended version of the current AU5 cell that covers the entrance to the lake. This Product will be used by Domestic commercial vessels operating on the lake and the yachting community of the area. 

ENC's : AU150150  AU433151  AU240150  AU434151 AU5LMQ01  

Paper Charts: Aus489  Aus809  Aus4602 Aus4643

Number of affected products: 9

This is an example of a charting project within the ChartScheme story map.

Planned - A program of charting work is to be undertaken.

Underway - Updates to affected products have commenced.

Completed - Charting project is completed and all affected products have been updated and published.

Postponed - Charting project has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Affected Products Map: Is shown above on the left hand pane, it will show all the affected existing products and proposed new products within this charting project. The hydrographic survey extent is also shown in light grey as well as a project identifier. Expand the map, zoom in and out with the mouse scroll to see all affected products.

General information on the particular ChartScheme Project will be provided to explain the reason why the area is being updated.

Comparison Map: The comparison map to the right will show the difference between the updated area before and after the hydrographic survey information has been updated.

This can been seen using the "Swipe" function in the map. All changes will be seen when the charting project status is at "Complete" and the right side of the comparison map has a "Green" polygon, as shown in this example. Some changes may been seen in the basemap before the charting project is completed as ENC products may have already been published.

Expand the map for a better zooming experience.

A list of the affected ENC's and Paper Chart products will also be provided, for this example the affected products are listed.

ENC's: AU416123 AU412424 AU22012 AU130120

Paper Charts: Aus730 Aus732 Aus320 Aus323 Aus4722 Aus4603

Green: Product Number denotes updated published product OR survey impact assessment completed and no update action required.

Yellow: Product Number denotes a product that is in the process of being updated.

Number of affected products: 10