Barangaroo Ferry Hub Vessel Traffic Management Plan Executive summary The purpose of this Vessel Traffic Management Plan (VTMP) is to provide guidance to enhance marine safety and navigation when entering, exiting and operating within the Barangaroo and Darling Harbour area, as agreed by Roads and Maritime Services and the Port Authority of NSW in conjunction with representatives from commercial vessel operators. This VTMP is to be read in conjunction with, and is The VTMP has been developed in line with the conditions subordinate to, NSW and Commonwealth marine set out in Memorandum of Agreement between legislation, as amended from time to time. In the Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and Roads and Maritime, event of any inconsistency between this VTMP and utilising information contained in the Thompson the legislation or information promulgated on relevant Clarke Navigational and Risk Assessment Report websites (Notices), then the requirements of the commissioned by TfNSW, timetabled services operating legislation and relevant websites take precedence. out of King Street and Pier 26 berths, Roads and Maritime’ Wharf Booking System, external stakeholder workshops, consultation with Harbour City Ferries, TfNSW and the Port Authority of NSW. Barangaroo Ferry Hub | Vessel Traffic Management Plan A Contents 1 Background 2 2 Implementation and commencement 2 3 Regulation change 3 4 Relevant Marine Legislation 3 5 Communications 4 6 General rules and obligations 4 7 Harbour City Ferries Operations 4 8 Shipping and commercial vessels 5 9 Recreational vessels 5 10 Noise 5 11 Review of VTMP 5 12 Further considerations 6 13 Consultation process 6 14 Definitions 7 Appendix A BFH designated four knot zone/waiting area chartlet 8 Appendix B Map of BFH designated four knot zone/waiting area 9 Appendix C Map of BFH traffic flow 10 Barangaroo Ferry Hub | Vessel Traffic Management Plan 1 1 Background 2 Implementation and In June 2012, Roads and Maritime Services completed commencement preliminary studies to assess navigational impacts associated with the proposed Barangaroo Ferry The implementation stage of the VTMP will begin Interchange. The work included an extensive review one month prior to the BFH commissioning. of navigational issues associated with the proposed The implementation will consist of internal development. It focused on developing a safe navigation Government stakeholder engagement followed by framework to support the proposal. external stakeholder engagement. In May 2014, Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian The implementation stage includes: announced construction of a new ferry hub at Barangaroo. • briefing sessions for stakeholders on the VTMP The Barangaroo Ferry Hub (BFH) is expected to cater for • establishing the extended four (4) knot zone 23,000 commuters by August 2019. through regulated signage The new ferry hub at Barangaroo will provide room for • prohibiting recreational vessels within the BFH area additional ferry services from Parramatta River to Darling using regulated signage Harbour, and Barangaroo and will relieve future capacity • issuing of a Marine Notice constraints at Circular Quay. • notice to Mariners Extensive stakeholder engagement occurred during the • updating Boating Maps planning and construction stages, involving external stakeholders and internal Government stakeholders. • amending Harbour City Ferries’ Safety Management Construction of the ferry hub began in January 2016, Systems for vessels utilising the BFH. with completion due in 2017. Artist’s impression of Barangaroo Ferry Hub looking south (Source: TfNSW) 2 Barangaroo Ferry Hub | Vessel Traffic Management Plan 3 Regulation change 4 Relevant Marine Legislation The BFH will implement two regulated changes The VTMP does not impact on the compliance of any to assist with the safe navigation of vessels when marine legislation. It will support all relevant legislation, entering, exiting and operating within the Barangaroo and should be considered in conjunction to the legislation and Darling Harbour area: to maintain safe navigation of vessels in the area. • the current four (4) knot zone will be extended North In the event of any inconsistency between this VTMP (Appendix A and B) and the legislation or information within a Marine Notice • the berthing area surrounding BFH will be prohibited or Notice to Mariners, the requirements of the legislation to recreational vessels (Appendix C). and relevant Notices take precedence. The current four knot zone extends from the north Current legislation that applies to both commercial eastern extremity of the Foxtel Wharf in an easterly and recreational vessels includes: direction to the Wave Baffle Wharf. The new four knot • Marine Safety Act 1998 zone will extend north from the north east extremity of • Marine Safety Regulation 2016 Darling Point in an easterly direction to the south western tip of the concrete landing structure. • Ports and Maritime Administration Regulation 2012 • Ports and Maritime Administration Act 1995 Recreational vessels will be prohibited from entering an area 30 metres north of the northern most • Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Barangaroo Ferry Wharf structure to the western most • Protection of the Environment Operations point of the Wave Baffle Wharf. (General) Regulation 2009 • Protection of the Environment Operations (Noise Control) Regulation 2008 • Marine Pollution Act 2012 • Marine Pollution Regulation 2014 • Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012. Artist’s impression of Barangaroo Ferry Hub (Source: TfNSW) Barangaroo Ferry Hub | Vessel Traffic Management Plan 3 5 Communications All vessels must, at all times, pass all wharves at a distance whereby they can be clearly seen by a berthed vessel or Masters of all commercial and recreational vessels allow sufficient distance so that avoiding action can be operating in the Barangaroo and Darling Harbour area taken by either vessel should a berthed vessel depart. should monitor VHF Channel 13, at all times. All vessels transiting Darling Harbour shall avoid Commercial vessels are required to immediately impeding the safe passage of a seagoing ship bound advise Sydney Ports VTS on VHF Channel 13 of any for, or departing, Glebe Island and White Bay. matters affecting safe navigation of a vessel operating All vessels, shall at all times, observe the speed limits while in the Barangaroo and Darling Harbour area. operating in the Barangaroo and Darling Harbour area. Port Authority of New South Wales’ Vessel Traffic All vessels are prohibited from anchoring or obstructing Service (VTS) provides a continuous service to monitor the Channel in the Barangaroo and Darling Harbour area. the movement of participating vessels within the VTS areas of Sydney Harbour. This includes broadcasted information on navigational warnings, weather forecasts, shipping movements, tidal conditions and special events. 7 Harbour City Ferries Operations 6 General rules The operator of a vessel must obtain written approval from Roads and Maritime or TfNSW to berth at BFH. and obligations Only approved vessels shall be allowed to operate from BFH berths. Vessels wishing to enter Darling Harbour during heavy water traffic at BFH and King Street Wharves Approved vessels only are permitted to cross to the are encouraged to utilise the designated waiting Port (left) hand side of the Channel to berth at BFH area. The location of the waiting area is shown in once their berth is available and the approach is clear. Appendix A and B. If their berth is not available, the vessel should wait in the waiting area until their berth becomes available. Vessels entering Darling Harbour shall do so only when their berth is clear and there is sufficient available water Approved vessels departing the BFH and heading north space for the vessel to navigate safely to its berth. must enter the Channel at as small an angle as possible to Vessels should not stop, drift or loiter south (other than avoid impeding the safe passage of vessels in the Channel. in designated waiting area) of the BFH if possible. When departing a BFH berth, either bow or stern first, All vessels shall enter, exit and operate within Darling approved vessels shall maintain a proper lookout and use Harbour in accordance with the International Regulations all available means to ensure a safe departure and avoid for Preventing Collisions at Sea, with particular attention impeding the safe passage of vessels in the Channel. to the following rules: Approved vessels shall maintain a radio watch on • Rule 2 – Responsibility VHF Channel 13 at all times whilst operating in the • Rule 5 – Lookout. Barangaroo and Darling Harbour area. All vessels entering or departing Darling Harbour are to Approved vessels must have an up to date Safety proceed on the Starboard (right) side of the Channel. Management System in line with this VTMP. The vessel must meet operational requirements Vessels are not permitted to berth at BFH unless they for the vessel to utilise the BFH. have obtained written approval from Roads and Maritime or TfNSW. Only approved vessels shall be allowed to Harbour City Ferries are to update their Harbour Booklet operate from the BFH berths. to reflect this VTMP. They are required to implement their own berthing and navigational procedures which All vessels must, at all times, cross the Channel as close to align with this VTMP and suit the arrangements with right angles as possible, and shall, avoid impeding the safe the wharf configuration and Darling