B. Harbour Safety

Book Launch

Newcastle has a busy working harbour, a Safety Information booklet is available at no charge from the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club Office, Newcastle Ports Corporation and NSW Maritime Newcastle.

Download Here

This booklet may be viewed and downloaded in PDF format by accessing the media and publications page on the Newcastle Port Corporation website through the link listed above.

HARBOUR WARNINGS

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.