Brisbane River Code of Conduct Has Been Developed for All River Users to Follow

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5 simple tips to ride the river safely To help ensure everyone can safely share the river, the Brisbane River Code of Conduct has been developed for all river users to follow. Both the Code, and this pocket guide, have been developed with input from all key river users and peak bodies including Maritime Safety The Brisbane River is the longest river in South Queensland (Department of Transport and East Queensland, winding for some three Main Roads), Rowing Queensland, Transdev hundred and fifty kilometres from the mountains Brisbane Ferries and Brisbane City Council. The through the city of Brisbane before finally flowing code clearly sets out in detail the roles, rules and out into Moreton Bay. responsibilities of all river users to safely share and enjoy the Brisbane River. The Brisbane River attracts unpowered and powered craft, large and small vessels alike. The Brisbane River Code of Conduct provides the Aquatic sports lovers share the waterway with large basic rules that, blended with common sense and good seamanship, will help to keep us all safe… commercial vessels and just like a major city road, and share the river. on-water traffic can become extremely busy. All river users must therefore take equal responsibility It can be viewed at msq.qld.gov.au for their safety and the safety of those around them. (search Brisbane River Code of Conduct). “As operators of Brisbane City Council’s CityCat and CityFerry fleet, safely sharing the Brisbane River is always our highest priority as it should be for all river users. This handy pocket guide summarises the Brisbane River Code of Conduct in five easy to remember tips and features a map of the busy city zone of the Brisbane River for easy reference and passage planning. Stay safe and have fun!”

The Brisbane RiverShare campaign has been developed Transdev Brisbane Ferries by Transdev Brisbane Ferries in partnership with Brisbane Crew & Management City Council, Maritime Safety Queensland (Department of Transport and Main Roads) and Rowing Queensland.

Page 3 RIVERSHARE TIP #1 - Hatch A Plan... A little homework...plan your course

CHECKLIST

Pre-check weather and tide conditions.

Understand buoys and channel markers.

Does anyone know you are heading out? Agreeing on a simple passage plan before you vicinity of a larger vessel, both challenging and head out onto the river, is a great way to get dangerous. It makes good river sense to observe off to a good start. Ensure you are aware of both the strength and direction of this extreme the approximate location of obstacles such water movement…before setting off. as pontoons, pylons, moored vessels, bridge footings, buoys and beacons…and know the Effective passage planning involves giving some best course to safely avoid them. Be aware of the thought to all of these important factors before direction, or correct side of the river you should you launch. It will go a long way to ensuring a be travelling in, where any exclusion zones may safe, enjoyable and trouble-free time on the river. be, and what the different channel markers mean.

Remember that the Brisbane River is a tidal estuary, meaning water levels can rise and fall by up to two and a half metres during a twelve-hour tidal cycle. This can create powerful currents of up to eight km/hour, making launching or docking a small craft, crossing the river, or turning in the

Page 5 RIVERSHARE TIP #2 - interaction... Working together to stay apart

CHECKLIST Know which ‘lane’ of the river you should travel in.

Stand off at the ‘50-metre gate’ to giveway to vessels docking or departing.

Remember: ‘At least twice as wide when passing down the side’. To help ensure that everyone can ride the river fifty metres and a commercial vessel is coming in safely, the Brisbane River is divided into imaginary or departing, you simply wait at the gate, or ‘stand thirds or lanes, stretching from bank to bank. off’, until it has finished docking and departing. Non-powered, passive craft are to travel in the outer thirds nearest the riverbank. Paddle sports If you are waved through by the vessel Master, craft may occupy both sides of the river for safety then you can quickly pass. Always remember the reasons and to avoid collisions. Larger engine golden rule: ‘At least twice as wide…when passing powered vessels operate within the centre third, down the side.’ If you stay well out, the powered as they generally require the deeper water. vessel Master can clearly see you from the wheelhouse, and can wait until you safely pass, The exception to this, is when larger, powered before pulling out. vessels must come into or exit a river bank terminal or pontoon. In this instance, here’s how it works:

Imaginary gates are set at fifty metres up and down stream from each terminal, sometimes marked with yellow buoys. If you are outside the

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2 Page 9 RIVERSHARE TIP #3 - BATTLING THE ELEMENTS...... Strong winds, fog and floods

CHECKLIST Make sure you can see 1000 metres all around you - If not, don’t go out on the water.

If a rain squall, fog or strong winds hit during your passage, seek shelter ashore and sit it out.

Be wary of what might be hidden below the surface after rain or floods. Strong winds, fog and floods can make for These heavy rains often cause the river to flood. treacherous conditions on the river. At certain Long after the rain has stopped and the flood has times of the year, rain squalls and the associated ebbed, the Brisbane River can remain choked strong winds and ‘white outs’ can hit without with debris and hazards for days and even weeks. warning, reducing visibility to zero. Remember Always be alert after a flood and be aware that that if you can’t see clearly for at least a hazards may lurk beneath the water’s surface. thousand metres all around…then you can’t be seen either. You should not be on the water in such conditions.

If you get caught in a rain squall, or see one coming, it’s best to quickly get in close to the riverbank and sit it out. These squalls generally only last a few minutes, so when conditions improve, you can continue on.

Page 11 RIVERSHARE TIP #4 - clear communication...... and good manners

CHECKLIST

5 short horn blasts = ‘I’m unsure of your intentions.’

Keep your wash or wake to a minimum.

Observe speed limits and slow down around other vessels and marinas. A standard set of maritime sound signals is used As the Master of any powered watercraft, always the world over to help vessels communicate in a be aware of your wash and the effect it can have. concise, courteous and professional manner. If Minimise the impact by observing speed limits you hear five short horn blasts from a powered and increasing speed only when you’re clear of vessel…it’s not a sign of aggression. other vessels or marinas…and in open water.

This is the recognised sound signal to let you know that the Master is simply unclear of your intentions. You can quickly clear things up by stopping, manoeuvring out of the way, calling out your intentions or politely gesturing. When it comes to good manners on the river, your vessel’s wash or wake can have a big impact on staying friendly with your fellow river users. You cannot only damage other vessels, you could put someone in grave danger.

Page 13 RIVERSHARE TIP #5 - visibility See...and be seen

CHECKLIST Avoid being on the river when visibility is poor.

Never cross on a bend and only cross when you can see clearly in both directions.

Between sunset and sunrise, use the all-round flashing white light, (navigational requirement for passive craft on Brisbane River) The river is undoubtedly a water-sports paradise, conditions are perfect, if you can’t see what’s but it can all so easily go very wrong. Imagine how coming around a bend or obstruction, another hard it might be for the Master in the wheelhouse of vessel can’t see you either. As a guide…if you can’t a CityCat to spot a small craft like a kayak or rowing clearly see what’s coming more than five hundred scull in very low light, especially at dusk or dawn. metres up ahead or five hundred metres from behind you (that’s one full kilometre all around), It’s very easy for small passive craft to stray into the then you should continue on toward a straighter, wrong place or get caught in unexpected currents. more open stretch of river before you cross. Large powered vessels like CityCats can find it hard to manoeuvre quickly to avoid dangerous situations. Remember, to ensure safe passage, you should always make your crossing Always use appropriate lighting – like the all- quickly and in a straight line, at right round flashing white light which is a navigational angles to the riverbank. requirement for all passive craft on the Brisbane River during times of low visibility or darkness.

When it comes to visibility, making your way across the river also becomes critical. Even when

Page 15 RIVERSHARE...THE MOVIE

A Brisbane River safety initiative proudly supported by:

This pocket guide is intended to provide a general introduction to river safety and does not purport to cover all river safety obligations. Readers are strongly encouraged to refer to and familiarise themselves with the Brisbane River Code of Conduct and applicable Marine Safety legislation. Transdev Brisbane Ferries Pty Ltd will not accept liability for any loss or damage claimed as a result of reliance on this publication.