Sydney Harbour superyacht guidelines Guidelines for Masters operating Superyachts on Sydney Harbour Contents Executive Summary 1 Qualifications and registration 9 Port procedures 2 Boat licences and certificates of competency 9 Directions for navigation 2 Registration of vessels 9 Directions and regulations to be observed 2 Protected animals 10 Required charts 2 Approach distances 10 Port services 2 Speed 10 Pilotage requirements 2 Approach directions 10 Wind and weather 3 Action if a marine mammal approaches 11 Port Authority of NSW Vessel Traffic Service 3 Communications 11 Pilot boarding place 3 VHF channels 11 Sydney Harbour – general considerations 3 Important contact details 11 General 3 Useful websites 12 Speed limits 3 Photographs 13 Speed restricted areas 4 Anzac Bridge 13 Conduct within Sydney Harbour 7 Rozelle Bay Superyacht Marina 13 Prohibited areas for general navigation 7 Campbells Cove 14 General 7 Sydney Cove – Circular Quay 15 Restricted access areas 7 Fort Denison 15 Collision or incident reports 8 Garden Island Naval Base 15 Berthing at commercial wharves 8 Walsh Bay 16 Pollution, nuisance or danger 8 Sydney Harbour Bridge 17 Marine Pollution Act 1987 8 Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont 17 Pump-out facilities 8 Kirribilli Point 17 Garbage 9 Anzac Bridge 18 Causing of nuisance or danger 9 Glebe Island Bridge 18 Farm Cove 18 Wind frequency analyses 19 FRONT COVER PHOTO: ANDREA FRANCOLINI Executive Summary Welcome to Sydney. The aim of these guidelines is to assist superyacht masters Superyachts are free to enter and move around with their preparations for a visit to Sydney Harbour and to Sydney Harbour subject to compliance with the provide a reference document during the visit. following requirements: These Guidelines are to be read in conjunction with, and • Superyacht masters operate on Sydney Harbour are subordinate to, NSW and Commonwealth legislation, in accordance with the requirements outlined in as amended from time to time, and the information these Guidelines. promulgated on relevant websites. In the event of any • Superyachts operating on Sydney Harbour, or within inconsistency between these Guidelines and the legislation 5 nautical miles of the port limits, must at all times or information promulgated on relevant websites, then maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 13, report to the requirements of the legislation and relevant websites Sydney Ports VTS on VHF Ch 13 at the required times take precedence. and follow all directions issued by Sydney Ports VTS. For the purposes of these Guidelines superyachts are • The master is aware of, and complies with, the recreational vessels with an LOA of 30m or more which restrictions and all other requirements for operating are used for private (non commercial) operations. on Sydney Harbour. Vessels of any size and length used solely for recreation • International and NSW Special Rules of the are exempt from the requirement to take a pilot or for the Road contained within Schedule 2 of the master to hold a Marine Pilotage Exemption Certificate or Marine Safety (General) Regulation 2009. Certificate of Local Knowledge. Despite there being no requirement for recreational vessels to take a pilot, superyacht masters may request this service for any passage within the harbour. A master is encouraged to request these services if in any doubt regarding the procedures on the harbour or regarding his/her ability to safely maneouvre within the harbour. In certain circumstances the Harbour Master may require a pilot to conduct the vessel on its movement into, out of or within the port. If the vessel is to be engaged in commercial activity, including any form of charter, then the vessel must comply with the provisions of the Marine Safety Act 1998 and take a pilot as required. Sydney Harbour Superyacht Guidelines 1 Port procedures Required charts The following paper charts, or equivalent electronic charted areas, are to be held onboard the superyacht: Directions for navigation Aus. 197 Approaches to Sydney Harbour [Port Jackson] The ports of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay fall within Aus. 200 Port Jackson the jurisdiction of the Port Authority of NSW. Aus. 201 Port Jackson Eastern Sheet Aus. 202 Port Jackson Central Sheet Directions and regulations Aus. 203 Port Jackson Western Sheet to be observed Port services Safe navigation in the port area is maintained through an ongoing process of risk evaluation and mitigation. Pilotage Vessel Traffic Service, the Harbour Master’s Directions and Refer to the pilotage page on the website of the provision of a pilotage service in the port are all integral Port Authority of NSW. components of this process. Sydney Harbour is both a working harbour and a focus for Tugs recreational boating enjoyment. During daylight seagoing Tugs bookings can be made by an authorised shipping ships are escorted by the Port Authority of NSW’s patrol agent through Sydney’s Integrated Port System (ShIPS). craft to ensure an adequate and safe separation between these ships and the recreational craft. Pilotage requirements The Harbour Master has powers under the Marine Safety Act 1998 to direct and control the time and Sydney is a pilotage port and pilotage is compulsory for manner in which any vessel may enter or leave the port. vessels with an LOA of 30 metres or more. The master of any superyacht navigating in Sydney Harbour However, under Section 75 of the Marine Safety Act 1998, must comply with any direction given by the Harbour a recreational vessel is exempted from pilotage. Master, the NSW Special Rules and the International Despite there being no requirement for recreational vessels Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Colregs). to take a pilot, superyacht masters may request this service Schedule 2 of the Marine Safety (General) Regulation 2009 for any passage within the harbour. A master is encouraged provides the NSW Special Rules and Colregs. Additionally, to request these services if in any doubt regarding the the master is required to comply with all relevant State or procedures on the harbour or regarding his/her ability to Federal Legislation and International Conventions. safely maneouvre within the harbour. In certain circumstances the Harbour Master may require a pilot to conduct the vessel on its movement into, out of or within the port. If the vessel is to be engaged in any commercial activity then the vessel must comply with the provisions of the Marine Safety Act 1998, and take a pilot as required. For details of what is considered commercial activity refer to the Marine Safety Act 1998. 2 Sydney Harbour Superyacht Guidelines Wind and weather Sydney Harbour – The weather and sea conditions in Sydney Harbour are subject to sudden severe changes throughout the year. general considerations During settled weather in summer (December to February) the predominant wind is the strong, north easterly sea breeze. This breeze is often interrupted by the Southerly General Buster, an intense line squall bringing a sudden wind shift from a southerly direction, freshening rapidly often to gale The following information explains some of the NSW force. After a Southerly Buster the wind usually returns to Special Rules and local expectations for navigation in Sydney its former direction and strength. Harbour. Superyacht masters and bridge crews should make themselves familiar with these requirements. During autumn (March to May) and early winter, strong southerly and easterly winds are frequently associated Sydney Harbour is a unique waterway which is used with cyclones in the Tasman Sea, off the central coast of extensively by a diverse range of recreational and New South Wales. commercial vessels including large ships, ferries and charter boats, tugs, tugs towing barges, superyachts, private During settled weather in winter (June to August) and early cruisers and yachts, runabouts, sailing skiffs, dinghies, spring, strong westerly winds are predominant. The visibility sailboards, rowing shells, kayaks and dragon boats. is generally good, but fog, misty rain, dust and haze, sometimes occur. Intense easterly winds are sometimes It is a busy waterway which requires all masters to be aware experienced. These cause heavy seas along the coast of their responsibilities, to take care when operating in which break heavily at Sydney Heads and occasionally pass busy navigational channels, and to make allowances for through the entrance to break on to the harbour’s western commercial activity. There is a need to consider paddlers, foreshore. Easterly gales are frequently accompanied by rowers and sailors as well as accommodating the needs of haze banks which might affect the visibility of lights. commercial operators, and those wishing to cruise, ski and fish on the harbour. Wind Frequency Analyses are attached at the end of these Guidelines. The number and variation of activities on the harbour may lead, on some occasions, to some operations not being compatible. Therefore, there is a need for Port Authority of NSW thorough understanding and absolute commitment Vessel Traffic Service to water safety by all mariners. The Port Authority of New South Wales operates a Vessel Traffic Service (Sydney Ports VTS) within Sydney Harbour. Speed limits All vessels with an LOA of 30 metres or more are required Speed limits of between 6 to 12 knots apply for all vessels to participate in the services. with an LOA of 30 metres or more. Clauses 23 to 26 of the Marine Safety (General) Regulation 2009 provide details of Pilot boarding place the area in Sydney Harbour whose there limits apply. Port Authority of NSW’s Pilot Boarding Ground is 4.15 nautical miles east of Cape Solander (34° 01.02’S 151° 18.88’E). By prior arrangement, pilots may board 4 nautical miles east of Hornby Light (33° 50.05’S 151° 21.68’E). Disembarkation is at the Pilot Boarding Ground off Port Botany. Sydney Harbour Superyacht Guidelines 3 Speed restricted areas In addition to the speed limits specified above for vessel a.