Ship navigation area warning
Interaction between large ships and small craft is rapidly increasing in Queensland coastal waters.
Trade through the port of Brisbane is growing with an expected 5500 shipping movements annually. That is almost one every hour. Central Queensland port authority facilities at Gladstone are growing with an expected 3000 shipping movements annually – approximately one every three hours. The ports of Bundaberg and Hervey Bay also have growth in trade.
Skippers of small vessels should, where possible, keep clear of ship navigation areas such as:
- major shipping routes
- pilot boarding grounds
- anchorages
- channels
- swing basins
- berths.
Use a recommended small craft course, if provided as a safer alternate route.
Brisbane
It is advisable to maintain a listening watch monitoring Brisbane Harbour Control on VHF channel 12 or telephone +61 7 3305 1700 and report your intention to travel along any channel prior to commencing.
Gladstone
The master of a vessel 10 m in length or greater must report to Gladstone Harbour Control (VTS) on VHF channel 13 and maintain a listening watch on that frequency when entering, leaving or moving within the Gladstone pilotage area. Sailing vessels are required to use the safe navigable waterway extending from the recommended small craft course for the South Channel and the waters to the south. After making the crossing of the shipping channel at aids to navigation G1 and G2, then proceed in a similar manner on the northern side of the recommended small craft course to travel to The Narrows or the North Channel, or until the crossing of the shipping channel towards the entrance of Auckland Inlet and the Gladstone Marina.
Hervey Bay and Bundaberg
Hay Point
Monitor VHF channel 16 at all times. Monitor VHF channel 12 or 8 to listen only for local shipping traffic. Hay Point Vessel Trafifc Service can be contacted on telephone +61 7 4956 3489 for information on shipping movements in the area. Report to Hay Point Vessel Traffic Service your intention to cross restricted area B on VHF channel 16 or by telephone.
Mackay
Monitor VHF channel 16 at all times. Mackay Marina is working VHF channnel 11. Mackay Vessel Traffic Service can be contacted on telephone +61 7 4956 3489 or VHF channel 16 for information on shipping movements in the area.
Townsville
It is advisable to maintain a listening watch monitoring VHF channel 16 or 12. All masters are required to adhere to the port busy signal at all times when in operation. The port busy signal indicates there is a large vessel manoeuvring within the port or channel. Vessels are required to wait for the light to be switched off before entering. If in doubt masters are required to contact the Port Control Tower on VHF channel 16.
The red flashing light is situated on top of the Port Control Tower. An additional port busy signal has been established for vessels coming down Ross Creek at the back of the front lead in Platypus Channel.
Some important points to consider
Large ships with the bridge at the stern will have a large blind spot for several hundred metres in front of the bow. This blind spot extends much further forward if deck cargo or containers are carried.
Ships can approach quickly and silently. At night, judgement of distance over water is more difficult. Ships do not have brakes and can take up to two nautical miles or longer to come to a complete stop.
Large ships at maximum draft have minimal under keel clearance and can only manoeuvre within the designated shipping channel.
When in a swing basin or alongside a berth, ships are accompanied by tugs and other vessels. Keep well clear.
If you must navigate in a shipping channel, you must keep to the outer edge of that channel. You must maintain an all round visual watch including monitoring the VHF radio channel for local traffic movement information.
At nominated locations, unauthorised vessels are prohibited from mooring, anchoring or manoeuvring within a restricted operational area. Notices to Mariners will provide up to date information regarding navigation in shipping channels.
Always transit directly across a channel behind a large ship and only when it is clear and safe to travel.
Between sunset and sunrise, as well as periods of restricted daytime visibility, always show correct navigation lights when at anchor or underway.
- Keep safe by conducting all boating activity well clear of ship navigation areas.
- Maintain a proper lookout at all times.
- Know your responsibility.
You can get further information from Maritime Safety Queensland regional offices.
