Chinaman's Hat, Navigational aid in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia
Chinaman's Hat is an octagonal navigational structure standing in the South Channel of Port Phillip Bay to guide vessels through the shipping channel. The structure includes a platform that serves as a resting area for the local seal population.
After World War II, this navigational structure replaced a military installation called Station M that had been part of Port Phillip's defense system. The shift from military to civilian use reflects how the bay's purpose changed during the post-war period.
The structure takes its name from its resemblance to traditional Asian conical hats and serves as a familiar landmark in local maritime culture. It has become part of how people who work and travel on the water recognize and talk about this section of the bay.
The structure sits far enough from shore that it is best viewed from the water or from elevated points along the coastline. You will see it most clearly during calm weather when the light is favorable.
The platform was specially designed to provide a safe resting place for a large seal colony, making this location an important refuge for the marine animal. The seals have adapted so well to this structure that it has become an integral part of the local marine ecosystem.
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