Sydney’s Aquatic Events – A Boater’s Guide

  December is a big month for aquatic events, with the big two – the Rolex Sydney-Hobart race start and New Year’s Eve – and a host of smaller events scheduled to take place on Sydney Harbour.
  Each year, NSW Maritime produces and distributes for free Sydney’s Aquatic Events – A Boater’s Guide - a booklet containing safety details about the major aquatic events planned to take place on Sydney Harbour, including advice for boaters on anchoring, best vantage points and exclusion zones.
  This year’s booklet will be available from the first week of December, direct from NSW Maritime, or from your harbourside fishing or boating club, marina or chandlery.
  Key to the success of large aquatic events is vessel interaction and care and courtesy displayed by each and every skipper on the water.
  Skippers need to keep a proper lookout at all times and travel at a safe speed, dependent on the circumstances.
  Up to 3,000 spectator craft usually accompany the Sydney-Hobart fleet start, with a similar number out on the water to catch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
  NSW Maritime is working with other boating agencies around Australia in developing a coordinated, national campaign to remind skippers of the crucial notion of keeping a proper lookout.
  Standby for more details on this in coming editions of Afloat. Meanwhile, you can find more information on proper lookout in busy harbours at www. martitime.nsw.gov.au/bigships

Rolex Sydney-Harbour Race start

The Exclusion Zone – 11am-2.20pm

  The exclusion zone will be marked with yellow buoys and some fixed navigation markers. All spectator craft are to remain outside the exclusion zone. No spectator craft are permitted to anchor or remain anchored within 100m of the exclusion zone. If going out to sea, only proceed through the ‘no anchoring zone’ near South Head. Spectator craft should not operate under sail near the exclusion zone from 12pm until the fleet clears the Heads.

Control Vessels

  Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and Australian Volunteer Coast Guard vessels will patrol the spectator limit lines. Please obey instructions from these vessels and from NSW Maritime and Water Police vessels. General safety messages will be broadcast on marine radio band 27.88 and VHF Channels 17 (NSW Maritime control network) and 13 (Sydney Ports).

Race Entrants

  Competing yachts will display a special race flag on their backstay. Please keep well clear of any vessel displaying such flags.

Start Times

  12.50pm 10 minute warning signal and cannon
  12.55pm 5 minute preparatory signal and cannon
  1.00pm starting signal and cannon A further signal and cannon fire may indicate a premature start by an individual yacht, which must return and restart.  Yachts will also be advised by radio if they have broken the start. Depending on the number of entries, there may be two starting lines.  To purchase tickets on board the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s spectator boats, please contact the club on 8292 7800 or email reception@cyca. com.au  Once again, Network Seven will broadcast the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race live from 12.30pm.  To listen to a live radio broadcast of the start, tune into Sailors Radio Hour on 1224AM from 11.30am until 2.00pm.

New Year’s Eve on Sydney Harbour

Exclusion zone – 8pm-12.30am

  In the interest of public safety, an Exclusion Zone – marked by lit yellow buoys – will extend from Cockatoo Island in the west to Clark Island in the east. The Exclusion Zone will be activated from 8pm on New Year’s Eve until at least 12.30am on New Year’s Day. No unauthorised traffic will be allowed inside the Exclusion Zone and there will be no access under the Sydney Harbour Bridge during this time.
  The Exclusion Zone will remain active for approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Midnight Fireworks display to facilitate the safety clearance of the fireworks barges. Vessels must keep outside this area until the Exclusion Zone is lifted.
  A maximum 6-knot no-wash speed limit will be in force between Cockatoo Island and Steele Point from 3pm 31 December 2008 to 2am 1 January 2009.  If you need to move your vessel due to an emergency, speak with the operator of one of the on-water control vessels: NSW Maritime, Water Police, Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol or Australian Volunteer Coast Guard.  With lots of small and large vessels in the dark at night, it is important that skippers adhere to the appropriate navigation lights, for the safety of their craft and passengers.