Night boating tips for Vivid Sydney

The annual Vivid Light, Music and Ideas Festival on Sydney Harbour from May 27 to June 18 is officially the largest light festival in the world.

Rafts of recreational boaters head out to check out Vivid, to cruise the harbour and drop into Darling Harbour marina, which is usually booked out by a motorboat club or two.

It's great fun idling around on a winter's night while taking in the amazing light show. Watch the neons dance on the harbour's steely surface as the city and its icons are illuminated in ways you've never seen before. Don't forget a blanket and a thermos at least.

But if you are planning to use your own boat to see the spectacular Vivid Sydney light show on the Harbor there are a few more serious things you need to consider before you cast off.

Here's the Vivid boating guide...

Vivid Sydney Harbour Lights
When you are out on the harbour you can't miss the brilliant LED lighting from 32 Hundred Lighting and Intel technology, which combine during Vivid to make many harbour vessels travel through a spectrum of light and movement.

Using Intel technology, the LED displays on the Harbour Lights vessels simultaneously change colour as they pass through a satellite navigational grid projected across Sydney Harbour. This creates a gentle but brilliant display that marries Art and Technology in true Vivid Sydney fashion.

Further details on the participating operators and charter boats here.

Recreational Vessels
Seeing Vivid from the water on a recreational vessel is a great experience, but make sure you follow the navigation rules of keeping to the right and displaying the correct navigation lights.

Recreational vessels are not permitted to enter Sydney Cove (Circular Quay) or to access the southern end of Darling Harbour as per the Marine Viewing Map. Read up on safe night boating rules and regulations before you launch you boating trip and check you nav. lights.

Marine Viewing
To celebrate its 200th birthday, the harbourside of
the renowned Royal Botanic Garden Sydney will explode with many types of
illumination during Vivid Sydney.

The Royal Botanic Garden
Sydney adds to the world-famous Vivid Light Walk which returns with more
than 60 spectacular light art installations, large-scale illuminations
and mesmerising 3D-mapped building projections to light up Sydney’s
waterfront.

With increasing waterfront activations, viewing Vivid
Sydney from the water is becoming increasingly popular for both
commercial and recreational vessels.

To ensure that all enjoy a
safe and entertaining night at Vivid Sydney, Roads and Maritime Services
(RMS), in conjunction with Destination NSW, have developed this Marine Viewing Map. It provides a good route to follow in your boat that will have you joining in the charterboat procession.

Charter Vessels
For your information, there are various charter vessels companies undertaking harbour cruises during Vivid Sydney 2016. If you are embarking on a cruise to view the Vivid Sydney lights from a vessel in the harbour, it is important to note that the event starts from 6.00pm nightly.

Some operators may be offering services via agents, direct sales and online deal websites. It is suggested taht you read all terms and conditions and relevant information before making a purchase. Also read all information on your ticket including departure times, locations and other conditions.

The event organisers Vivid Sydney do not operate any harbour cruises. If you have any questions, please contact the operator who is undertaking the harbour cruise.

Water Taxi Services
Water taxis provide a great service for visitors to Vivid Sydney. As the event continues to grow it has become necessary to introduce some wharf restrictions for water taxi operators in Sydney Cove to reduce spectator congestion and ensure greater safety for on-shore visitors.

Commissioners Steps, Harbourmasters Steps and Ives Steps will be closed to all vessels from 6pm to 11pm on the following nights in 2016: Friday 27 May, Saturday 28 May, Friday 3 June, Saturday 4 June, Friday 10 June, Saturday 11 June, Sunday 12 June, Friday 17 June and Saturday 18 June.

During these times water taxis can be boarded from Campbells Cove,  Eastern Pontoon, Man O’ War Steps, Walsh Bay 2 and Towns Place.

More details and program on the Vivid Sydney spectacular at
www.vividsydney.com.