Port Authority of New South Wales

Masters are advised that Port Authority Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is responsible for the VTS areas in the Ports of Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay. Seagoing ships approaching Sydney Harbour or Botany Bay shall provide 4 hours’ notice of expected arrival time by email to: vts@portauthoritynsw.com.au The message must include: Estimated Time of Arrival at Pilot boarding place Drafts forward and aft for arrival Displacement on arrival Confirmation that bow thrusters, if fitted 100% operational Information on any defects Length overall (LOA) On receipt VTS will advise of the pilot boarding time and pilot ladder information by return email as follows: Your 4 hour notice of expected arrival time has been received. You are requested to call Harbour Control on VHF Channel 12 when 2 hours from the Pilot boarding area. Port Authority of New South Wales works to ensure the safe, reliable and efficient movement of cargo and passenger vessels through Sydney Harbour and Botany Bay, while providing immediate and appropriate responses to safety and environmental incidents. The Marine Operations team operates 24/7 in the Ports of Sydney and Botany Bay where they provide maritime expertise to all Port stakeholders. Marine Operations is the public face of Port Authority out in the field, whether on shore or on the waterways. Marine Operations liaises with both internal and external stakeholders and government agencies to assist, advise, participate and promote all Port functions necessary for the Ports to operate safely and efficiently. Operations has a wide and varied vessel fleet equipped with a range of specialised equipment and highly skilled staff. It has the ability to respond to a number of emergency incidents in the Port areas, including pollution response, fires, salvage, navigation aid failures. Operations patrols the Port waters 24/7. Seagoing commercial shipping is also escorted into and out of the Port areas, ensuring the safe navigation, and mitigation of any hazards to their safe passage. The PSOL (Port Safety Operating License) issued by the State government to the Port Authority of New South Wales, ensures the Ports are managed to a very high degree and worlds best practice of safety and compliance. Auditing of the safe transfer of bulk dangerous liquids in the Ports, work permits, Passenger ship gangway operations, and Pilotage vessel operations are some of the vast array of functions that Marine services provides. There is a 15-knot maximum speed limit in Sydney Harbor for vessels traveling under the Sydney Harbor Bridge and all vessels will not be permitted to stop or drift under the Bridge. The restriction applies in a safety zone 600m east of the bridge and 700m to the west. NSW Maritime boating officers patrol and monitor the zone, and penalties apply for non-compliance. Position: 33° 44’S, 151° 17’E (entrance to harbor)