Shoaling at Entrance to Eura Moana Lagoon from Grey River
East Cardinal Mark Buoy
Navigation Safety Warning
Port of Greymouth advises that shoaling to zero metres below chart datum extends across the centre and west of the entrance to Eura Moana Lagoon (Fishing Vessel Lagoon) from the Grey River.
The eastern edge of the shoaling is marked by an East Cardinal Mark buoy with a white light on top, located at latitude 42 degrees, 26.75 minutes South, Longitude 171 degrees, 12.00 minutes East.
The white light is 1.43 metres above water level and has a nominal range of 2 nautical miles, a visibility arc of 360 degrees, and a character of Q(3) - a group of 3 flashes is repeated every 10 seconds.
A channel from 1.2 to 4.1 metres below chart datum exists on the east side of the East Cardinal Mark buoy, adjacent to Martin's Quay Wharf.
Vessels are advised to keep as close to the east of the channel as possible.
For further information contact Port of Greymouth on Mobile (0274) 35 34 24, or Phone (03) 768 5666, or Greymouth Harbour Radio, VHF Channel 14
Port Manager
Port of Greymouth is situated on the West Coast of the South Island at
the mouth of the Grey River.
.
The commercial port began life in the 1860s gold rushes, but in the 1880s
investment in breakwaters, wharves, cranes and railways transformed Greymouth
into a major coal shipping port to supply the growing New Zealand economy.
As utilisation of indigenous forests developed Greymouth also became a
major timber exporter. Coal and timber exports peaked at 600,000 tonnes
per year in the early 1900s, but declined to about 250,000 tonnes a year
after the opening of the railway to the east coast in 1923. Timber exports
diminished from the 1950s as indigenous timber exports were restricted.
With the discovery of natural gas in the North Island in 1969 the coal
trade almost disappeared, but recommenced with tug and barge services
in 1988.
Coal and aggregate are now the major cargo exports, mainly to the North
Island, but also to Lyttelton Port of Christchurch and Port Kembla, Australia,
for loading on export vessels.
The Port is poised to again be a major component of New Zealand’s
energy supply and coal export trade. Utilising most the infrastructure
established in the 1880’s, it is also now negotiating for a major
new port facility development. This will start with creating the ability
to handle approx. 1.5 million tonnes of coal per year, with increased
capacity provided as contracts with customers are confirmed.
The fishing industry developed in the 1970s, and Greymouth is home to
35 local vessels, up to 60 visiting vessels in the tuna season (January –April), and significant landings of hoki by 20 to 40 metre length
vessels in the July-September season.
Greymouth’s history makes it an important heritage port on the New
Zealand Maritime Heritage Trail. It is also important for local and visitor
recreational activities, and in 2005 the game fish resource off-shore
attracted international attention and this industry is expected to grow
significantly.
