WATERS MINED

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 27, 31 July 1940, Page 9

WATERS MINED

HAURAKI GULF APPROACHES

AN OFFICIAL NOTICE

Official notice in the form of a warning to mariners was issued by the Marine Department yesterday regarding two areas in the sea approaches to Auckland, where navigation is dangerous owing to mines. The limits of the area mined are:—From Needles Point, Great Barrier Island, in a direction 273 degrees to Sail Rock, thence 000 degrees for 18 miles, thence 093 degrees to'a position 000 degrees 18 miles from Needles Point, Great Barrier Island. Mariners are warned that the area enclosed by the lines joining the above positions is dangerous because of mines. Ships, including small craft and fishing vessels, enter at their peril until further notice. The water to approaches to Colville Channel from the southern end of Great Barrier Island, in the vicinity of and to the seaward of Cuvier Island, and south to the Mercury Islands, is dangerous because of mines. Entrance to Auckland through the Colville Channel may be made after obtaining instructions from the Marine Department. The area first described lies to the north-west of Great Barrier Island, and I is approximately rectangular, extend- j ing to a few miles off Bream Head. The second area, whose shape is not defined by the description given, is a j strip lying off the eastern side of the j northern part of the Coromandel Peninsula. The directions given in degrees need explanation for those not accustomed to them. They are measured from due north, which is 000 degrees, running clockwise. Thus 090 degrees is due east, 180 degrees is south, and 270 degrees is west.