Recreational Boaties Should Respect
All Shipping Channels

Recreational boat owners are putting themselves and their passengers at risk every day by using the main shipping channels of Port Phillip for fishing or sailing.

An increase in the number of incidents, including near-misses involving large ships and small dinghies and yachts, led to the formation of an alliance between the Victorian Channels Authority (VCA), Parks Victoria, the Victorian Water Police and the Port Phillip Sea Pilots to tackle this dangerous practice.

Throughout summer, the VCA, Parks Victoria and the Water Police have made regular patrols of the channels, alerting the occupants of offending small boats to the potential danger in which they have placed themselves and requesting they move to a safer spot.

Capt Tim Muir, VCA’s Manager Marine Operations and Harbour Master, said the approach focused on education rather than enforcement. The patrols had found that many people did not know where the shipping channels were and were happy to move on when informed by the patrols.

"Due to lack of awareness on the part of some boat operators, people on recreational fishing trips, in particular, are anchoring in, or drifting across, the channels," Capt Muir said. "They do not realise they may be putting themselves in the path of one of 7,000 ship movements through Port Phillip each year," Capt Muir said.

"Many of these ships are longer than the Rialto Building is tall (253 metres) with their navigating bridges 10 storeys above the water and decks stacked high with freight containers, all of which combine to make it difficult to see small craft such as ‘tinnies’.

"In port waters large ships are constrained to operating in shipping channels, therefore it is essential that small boats keep out of their way. The lack of visibility and the fact that it can take up to two miles for a large ship to come to a stop, means it is essential that small boats must keep out of the channels," Capt Muir said.

The channels are large trenches that have been dredged in sections of the Bay and the approaches to the Yarra River to enable ships with draughts deeper than the natural depth to transit safely and unhindered.

The Port Phillip Sea Pilots (PPSP), who are responsible for guiding ships safely into the ports of Melbourne and Geelong and have first hand experience with the issue, have played a crucial role in raising awareness among bayside yacht and boat clubs.

"We have conducted a program of visits to clubs to inform members about the issue and to educate them about the need to be aware of the location of the channels so as to avoid putting themselves at risk," said Capt Charles Griffiths of the PPSP.

"We have found that most yachting people, particularly those who sail out of clubs, are aware of the importance of keeping clear of the channels and avoiding sailing in the port zone of the river, however, the unaware ‘boatie’ is a real worry."

Capt Muir said the Bay is a magnificent recreational resource but Melbourne is also a very busy port, handling $65 billion worth of cargo each year and employing 18,000 people.

The VCA encouraged recreational boat operators to enjoy their transit through the port zone but reminded them to keep well clear of shipping and to follow some simple rules:

• Keep a look out at all times and keep clear of shipping;
• Keep to the extreme edge of the channel (preferably the starboard, or right hand, side);
• Anchoring is not allowed in the channels
• Be aware of the "swinging basins" which are areas for ships to turn; and
• Do not tie up at navigation aids.

For further information, contact:
Capt Tim Muir
Tel: +61 3 9612 3512