Boating Hazards On Sydney Harbour - Liquid Edge Hunter Charter Handbook

Boating Hazards on Sydney Harbour

75. Sydney Harbour is an excellent location for boating but there are some hazards that skippers
must be aware of. Over recent years, there have been a number of boating accidents that have
resulted in the tragic loss of life. The key to safety is to be aware of the hazards, be conservative in
decisions and ensure you have the required skills and knowledge.
Swell
Sow and Pigs Reef
Gowlland Bombora
South Head
Rose Bay
Shark Island
Circular Quay
Harbour Bridge
Always give way to ferries displaying an orange diamond & vessels with restricted
maneuverability such as large ships.
28 September 2009
Liquid Edge is not permitted north of an imaginary line between
Camp Cove (South Head) and Middle Head if the swell is over 0.5
meters.
This reef is 0.5 nm SW of South Head (refer to chart). Keep well
clear of the cardinal marks (yellow and black poles) surrounding
the reef. The reef is marked with an isolated danger mark (black
post with a red band and black ball on top). The reef is sometimes
only just covered with water and can be difficult to see.
Stay outside of the three cardinal marks as this bombora breaks
dangerously in strong winds.
Keep well clear of the rocks on South Head.
The far eastern shore is very shallow, keep well clear.
There are shallow waters with a rocky bottom north west of the
island. It is marked with a western cardinal mark.
It is illegal to enter circular quay.
Collisions have occurred under the harbour bridge. It is important
not to stop under the bridge and to keep to the northern side when
heading west, and the southern side when heading east.
18 Charter Handbook