NRS-21497 | Hydrographic Survey plans [NSW Maritime/Roads and Maritime Services]

Full description

The hydrographic survey plans record soundings, tides and topographical features of the waterways surrounding Sydney Harbour, Port Botany, and NSW regional waterways. The records in this series include copies of hydrographic survey plans which record seabed soundings of the depths of the waterways surrounding the Sydney Harbour (also known as Port Jackson) and Port Botany waterway environs. Hydrographic survey plans also include soundings of other NSW waterways for example, other regional ports, rivers and lakes. The hydrographic surveys identify location of topographical features of the seabeds that include submerged objects; deep or shallow water; representation of the shorelines that include reserves, mangroves, silt levels, shore rocks and bridges; tidal gauges; high and low level water marks; and currents. They include proposed plans for rowing courses; shark proof fences; moorings; speed tests; and navigation aids. Measurements were initially calculated in imperial dimensions and in later plans metric dimensions. The methods used to record soundings changed over time. Originally, depths were measured by using rope and dropping lead lines into the water, later echo gram technology was used, and then GPS.

The key function of the hydrographic survey plans is to measure depths for navigation and boating safety and to monitor those depths. Under the Sydney Harbour Trust Act, 1901 (Act No. 1, 1901) The Sydney Harbour Trust entity was responsible for the improvement and preservation of the Port of Sydney, including navigation. All subsequent entities from the Sydney Harbour Trust and the Maritime Services Board through to Roads and Maritime Services took on navigation and boating safety functions conferred by marine legislation and other NSW Transport legislation.

The survey plans initially supported pilotage and the safe navigation of commercial and recreational water vessels using Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay and regional waterways and included ports management. They also supported the implementation of navigation aids, moorings and lighthouses, as well as the development and management of foreshore infrastructure.

The plans are used to develop and manage recreational activities of the waterways for activities such as rowing and swimming baths and ensure safety for people using the waterways.

These plans provide useful information that were and are used by tidal analysts; sea and land users for example, commercial and recreational users of the waterways, and waterfront infrastructure developers; channel markers for the placement of batons or markers to regulate navigation; the Australian Hydrographic Service to produce charts and boating maps; and formerly the Harbour Master (now with the Ports Authority of NSW).

The survey plans for Port Jackson and Port Botany are copies of the original plans that were handed over to the Sydney Ports Corporation, now known as the Port Authority of NSW.

The series is arranged by sequential numbers. For example, 269-5010. There are gaps in the numbering. For example 269 – 276 – 308 – 688 etc.

NSW hydrographic surveys are prefixed with ‘NSW’ before the number e.g. NSW1001. ‘/2’ after a number denotes a changed plan (not a part)