How to survive the big on-water events
Sydney Harbour will be awash with boats from the start of the Sydney-Hobart to NYE and beyondDuring major events the harbour is busy with small and large craft. In the interest of safety, each skipper should maintain a safe speed, keep a proper lookout, avoid taking risks and obey navigation restrictions.
Spectator areas get crowded with boats of many different types and sizes during the major aquatic events. Watch your speed and wash, stay outside exclusion zones and follow any directions from official control vessels.
12 TIPS FOR BOATING DURING BIG EVENTS
>> Keep a proper lookout
>> Maintain a safe speed. Limit your speed to 6?knots or less (equivalent to a slow jog) and minimise your wash when within 30 metres of another vessel
>> Remember that creating wash which impacts unreasonably on other vessels, structures or the shore is an offence
>> Don’t rush. Allow additional time for delays at boat ramps and longer travel times due to reduced speed limits in the special event?areas
>> Keep to the starboard (right-hand) side of?channels
>> Keep clear of seagoing ships, ferries and other large vessels with limited manoeuvrability. For some simple steps to stay safe near ships, download the Big Ships
>> Keep at least 60 metres away from people in the?water
>> Keep at least 60 metres away from naval installations
>> Stay inside Sydney Heads unless you and your crew are experienced, you have the right safety equipment and your vessel is seaworthy
>> Avoid taking risks
>> Don’t set off flares for fun, it is dangerous and illegal
>> Obey navigation restrictions and follow the instructions of all control?vessels.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Special conditions apply at major aquatic events.
The special navigation conditions allow major aquatic events to be conducted successfully and to protect the safety of both participants and spectators. These include special event areas where speed and wash restrictions apply, and exclusion zones which are out of bounds for recreational craft.
Think of the special event area as the overall space where navigation restrictions apply, and the exclusion zone as the event 'stage' where only authorised vessels can enter.
Details of the navigation restrictions for Sydney’s major summer aquatic events are set out in the maps and tables on the event pages, and in Marine Notices published during the lead up to the events. Before heading out on the water, take note of the areas affected and the times during which the restrictions will apply.
Special event areas can become very congested, especially along the edges of exclusion zones. Small craft should remain in calm waters, keeping well clear of larger craft, exclusion zones and congested areas. Be aware that the wash from larger vessels can capsize or swamp small craft.
SPECTATOR CRAFT
All spectator vessels must:
>> Keep well clear of participating craft and support?vessels
>> Follow the directions of all control vessels
>> Limit your wash and keep at least 30 metres clear of Roads and Maritime Environmental Services vessels attending to buoys.
EXCLUSON ZONES
Exclusion zones for the major events on Sydney Harbour are marked by yellow boundary buoys and/or patrolled by official control vessels.
>> Only authorised vessels (for example, control vessels) can enter an exclusion?zone
>> Exclusion zones will also exist around vessels participating in special events such as the Australia Day Ferrython and Tall?Ships?Parade
>> All non-participating vessels must observe a?speed limit of 6 knots and minimise wash within 200 metres of any exclusion zone for the duration of the event(s)
>> When anchoring near an exclusion zone, stay well clear of the boundary buoys and do not allow your boat to lie over the boundary line. More information about anchoring
>> Allow small craft to take positions along the?exclusion zone boundary
>> Don’t arrive late and try to push in between anchored boats and the boundary. You will be?asked to move!
There are more invaluable Tips for Attending Boating Events at this NSW Roads and Maritime page.
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