New Channel Marks Installed at Havelock

New channel markings are now in place to assist vessels navigating their way through the shallows of Havelock but their location will be reviewed after summer to confirm the right sites have been selected.

Marlborough Harbourmaster Captain Alex Van Wijngaarden says a decision was made earlier this year to upgrade the channel marks after consultation with the operators and users of the marina at Havelock.

Captain Van Wijngaarden says feedback from a mid-year meeting at the Pelorus Yacht Club helped establish where the seven new navigation beacons should be located.

The new piles are now in place, just southwest of Black Point to Cullen’s Point, with new navigation lights mounted on the poles.

“The lights represent both a considerable cost saving and a technological advance over the previous generation of lights deployed by the Marlborough District Council. The new lights rely on a small wireless device, not unlike a remote television pad, which controls the rate of flashing and the intensity of the light,” the Harbourmaster said.

Captain Van Wijngaarden says the new markings will be in place for a trial period of five months. After that, further consultation will be held with the Havelock marine community to review their effectiveness.

Feedback will be welcome at any time during the trial period and will be included in next year’s planned review. Any comments should be e-mailed to alan.coghlan@marlborough.govt.nz by 1 May, 2013.

For further information please go to www.pictonharbour.co.nz or see a detailed chart in the Marina Office at Havelock or contact the Harbour Office on (03) 520 7400.

Navigation Map(396 Kb)

The new navigation points directing the path boats should take through the Havelock Channel; to the right of the green markers and the left of the red markers when navigating to the marina from seaward, and the reverse on the outgoing journey.