Safety around ships
Recreational boaters have a responsibility to stay well clear of large vessels. You are prohibited from impeding the passage of big ships in shipping channels.
What you need to know
All boat operators should take note of the following:
- Big ships operate at all times of the day and night.
- The speed of a ship can be deceptive. It may not look like it from a distance, but they could be travelling at speeds in excess of 20 knots.
- Ships can weigh up to 100,000 tonnes and do not have brakes. They cannot stop or change course suddenly and will travel a long distance before stopping.
- Bow waves caused by a ship can swamp a small boat hundreds of metres away.
- Sailing vessels do not have right of way over ships restricted in their ability to manoeuvre.
- A ship will sound five short blasts on its whistle if it believes a smaller vessel is at risk of collision. Small vessels must take evasive action immediately.
- A ship's blind spot can extend for many hundreds of metres ahead.
Transit only zone
A transit only zone is a regulated area of water in the vicinity of a commercial shipping channel or fairway. Recreational craft must not anchor or drift within these zones.
The purpose of designating a transit only zone is:
- To avoid potential collisions between small boats and large commercial ships
- For the safety of small boat operators and their passengers.
Learn about the transit only zone and how to get set for a trip on Port Phillip Bay, on the Victorian Ports Corporation (Melbourne) website.
Harbour Master's Directions
Harbour Master's Directions (HMDs) can include specific directions for recreational vessels to keep out of the way of ships and vessels engaged in port operations. In port waters the relevant harbourmaster may make special directions concerning the navigation and operation of recreational vessels.
In port waters for Port of Geelong, Port of Melbourne and Port of Portland the following directions apply.
The master of a vessel less than 25m in length shall ensure that the vessel keeps out of the way of:
- Vessels more than 25m in length
- A tug or launch assisting the movement, berthing or unberthing of another vessel
- The master of another vessel less than 25m in length shall ensure the vessel does not approach within 30m of a ship berthed at a tanker terminal.