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In Case Of An Accident

Waterways authority of NSW requirements in case of accident.

(Section 30G Maritime services ACT No. 47, 1935,

No. 19 AND No. 3 (I) AM 1981 No. 76, Sch 3(4)).

(a) In this section the word "vessel" means a vessel of less than 30 metres in length overall.

(b) Where, owing to the presence of a vessel in any port or navigable waters, an accident occurs, the master of a vessel concerned in the accident:

(i) shall stop his vessel;

(ii) If the accident results in the death of or injury to any person, or in damage to a vessel which affects the seaworthiness of the vessel or the safety of persons on board the vessel, shall give any assistance which may be necessary and which it is in his power to give.

(iii) If required so to do by any person having reasonable grounds for so requiring, shall produce any licence to navigate a vessel at speed, licence as coxswain or master's certificate, which he holds and shall give particulars of his name and place of abode, the name and address of the owner of the vessel, the name of the vessel and any distinguishing number which is, or is required to be, displayed by the vessel in pursuance of or by any Act or Regulation.

(iv) If required so to do by any officer of the Waterways Authority or any member of the police force, shall give such particulars as it is in his power to give as to the time, place and nature of the accident, the name of every vessel concerned in the accident, and any distinguishing number which was carried by any such vessel, the name and address of every person who was concerned in or who witnessed the accident, and the extent of any injury or damage resulting from the accident.

(v) If such accident has resulted in the death of or injury to any person, or in damage to a vessel or to any other property to an extent apparently exceeding one hundred dollars, shall, as soon as practicable and in any case within twenty-four hours after the accident, forward to the Waterways Authority in writing the particulars that, under paragraph (b), he may be required to give unless such particulars have already been given by him to a member of the police force or to an officer of the Waterways Authority who required him to give such particulars.

(i) without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with any provision of subsection (b); or

(ii) willfully furnishes any false or misleading particulars in respect of any matter pursuant to paragraph (iii), (iv) or (v) of subsection (b) shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and liable to penalty not exceeding four hundred dollars.

Recommended Charts

Newcastle harbour is located on two major Maritime charts.

AUS 207 and AUS 208

Harbour Warnings

Important Notice

It is absolutely essential that yachts do not interfere with the safe passage of commercial shipping on, or near Newcastle harbour. Discussions with the Newcastle Harbour Master and Waterways reveal the following information of which all skippers should be aware of:

The Port of Newcastle operates 24 hours and 365 days a year. on average there is at least 10 major shipping movements per day. It is classed as a busy Port

The navigation channel is only 185m wide at the heads. Ships that do not require tugboats are up to 50m wide.

The ships start "Entering" Newcastle harbour approximately 4km off the breakwaters. Inside this limit THEY CAN NOT TURN OR STOP. They must keep approaching.

Ships generally enter the harbour at about 8-10 knots in order to maintain steerage way. However this speed will increase with different wind and weather conditions. They can not and will not slow down or turn to avoid yachts. Many ships have a blind spot of at least 500m ahead.

For this reason a skipper that feels it is necessary to start his engine in order to demonstrate his intention of clearing the channel and to keep clear of an approaching vessel, may do so with the sailing committee's approval without penalty.

Your co-operation in this matter is essential if we are to continue sailing within the harbour.