Recreational boating
New 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.
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
788kb).
View the Steer Clear map
(PDF 530kb) of Port Phillip Bay 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. View map of the Port of Melbourne.
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) and return it to the
Navigation Services Officer via email at least five working days before
the event. View the sample application form (PDF) 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
