Recreational boating
Harbour Master's Directions
Transit Only Zone
Warning - Steer Clear
Aquatic Events Advice
Boating websites
Fishing
websites
Boating is a pastime enjoyed by many families and individuals. To help
boaters use port waters in a safe and responsible way Port of Melbourne
Corporation (PoMC) supplies safety information and a list of boating
internet sites providing a range of information.
View the Harbour Master's Directions for important information about
commercial shipping management in Port of Melbourne Waters. These are in
the Port of Melbourne Corporation Operations
Handbook (PDF, 2Mb).
A permanent Transit Only Zone in the north of Port Phillip Bay came
into effect in September 2006.
No anchoring or drifting of boats is allowed within the
Transit Only Zone.
The zone covers the Port Melbourne Channel south of Breakwater Pier,
the waters approximately 500 metres to the west and 200 metres to the east
of Port Melbourne Channel, and includes the Eastern By-Pass Channel and
the western shallow draught fairway and extends approximately three miles
to the south of Fawkner Beacon.
The Transit Only Zone is marked with yellow buoys.
Read the Victorian Notice to Mariners No. 128/06 giving notification of the Transit Only Zone.
- Don’t anchor in shipping channels or transit only zones.
- Don’t tie up to navigation aids e.g. buoy, channel markers.
- These actions are dangerous and illegal. Penalties apply.
Always steer clear of
ships.
- Small boats must keep clear of ships.
- It is dangerous, and often impossible, for ships to stop or change
course quickly.
- Just because you can see the ship, don’t assume the ship can see
you.
Read the media release (PDF 128kb) about
keeping clear of ships.
Read the Steer Clear brochure (PDF
807kb).
View the Steer Clear map of Port Phillip Bay (on page 3 of the Steer
Clear brochure above) to see the Transit Only Zone in the north of the bay
and South Channel in the south of the bay where anchoring and drifting are
not allowed.
Boat operators should also note the high shipping hazard area,
from Hovell Pile in the south to the Transit Only Zone in the north of the
bay, where boaters are strongly advised not to anchor or allow their boat
to drift.
For more information, contact
Navigation Services Officer
Tel: +61 3 9683
1462
Email: navservices@portofmelbourne.com
PoMC requires notification advice for aquatic events which take place
within, or close to, the commercial shipping channels and fairways which
lie within the port waters of the Port of Melbourne. There is no fee for
an Aquatic Events Advice issued by PoMC. View map of the main channels.
Events held outside Port of Melbourne waters may require a permit from
Parks Victoria, (telephone 131 963) or the Victorian Regional Channels
Authority for events within the port waters of Geelong (telephone +61 3
5225 3500.
Event organisers must ensure that event participants are told to keep
clear of commercial shipping at all times. This responsibility still
applies even when PoMC has not distributed an advice.
To complete an Aquatic Events Advice form, download the application form (DOC, 190kb) and return it to the
Navigation Services Officer via email at least five working days before
the event. View the sample application form (PDF, 1.5MB) for help.
Email applications to:
Navigation Services Officer
Port of
Melbourne Corporation
Email: navservices@portofmelbourne.com
Marine Safety Victoria
Marine Safety Victoria (MSV) is Victoria’s marine safety agency and is
responsible for the administration of the Victorian Marine Act 1988
and the Marine Regulations 1999. The MSV internet site provides the most
recent safety information for the use of Victorian waters as well as a
range of useful boating information.
Visit the Marine Safety Victoria website for more safety
information.
Coast radio
Monitoring of distress and safety
communications in Victoria’s offshore waters for non-SOLAS vessels (most
recreational, fishing and small commercial trading craft) is now managed
from port facilities at Point Lonsdale.
Find more information about distress monitoring, weather services and
position recording on Marine Safety Victoria’s Marine Safety Radio web page.
Other Victorian boating sites
Boating Industry
Association of Victoria
Parks
Victoria (marine, coasts and rivers page)
Yachting
Victoria
Licensing
Marine Safety Victoria (boat operator licensing page)
VRFish
Fishnet.com.au
