Mon, Feb 6, 2012, 8:25:46 AM
| Harbourmasters & Bylaw |
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For more information on rivers, lakes and oceans please contact: Auckland Council Harbourmasters Office www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/en/services/harbourmaster Auckland Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw and Harbourmaster’s Directions control the manner in which all vessels navigate within the regions waters. These rules are designed to ensure safety for all water users. They ensure our harbours and channels are clear and open to navigation of all vessels. The Auckland Council, Harbourmaster – Roles & ResponsibilitiesNavigation and safety (commercial and recreational) in accordance with national and local maritime rules/bylaw:
Navigation Safety Bylaw 2008The Navigation Safety Bylaw 2008 has been produced by Auckland Council principally to ensure safe usage of the regions waterways. These pages comment briefly on the bylaw which particularly affect recreational users. Where do they apply?The Bylaw applies throughout the waters of the region from Mangawhai and the entrance to the Kaipara harbour in the north, to Miranda and Kariotahi Beach in the south, 19 kilometres seaward of Great Barrier Island to the east and out to 19 kilometres offshore from the West Coast beaches. Key BylawLifejacket/Personal Flotation DevicesAll craft must carry enough and the right size for everyone on board. SpeedMaximum 5 knots when
AgeA person must be 15 years or over to navigate any powered vessel capable of speeds of over 10 knots. This includes Personal Water Craft (jetskis). Water-Skiing, Towing and Similar Activities
WakeRecreational craft must avoid making a wake which can cause unnecessary danger or risk of damage to other vessels, structures or people. Access Lanes and Reserved Areas
Anchoring
The 500 Ton RuleIn areas near the approaches to harbours and ports, charts will show where all vessels must keep well clear of ships over 500 tons. Even if the ship is overtaking, stay at least 500 metres clear ahead and 100 metres from sides of all ships. Tankers and Defence PremisesWhenever possible, vessels are required to stay at least 200 metres away from tankers, ships displaying code flag B (dangerous goods) and defence premises. DivingAny vessel where diving activities are taking place must display code flag A with a minimum size 600mm x 600mm. It must be displayed in a manner so that it is clearly visible to all approaching vessels from 200 metres. Flagged AreasFlagged areas set aside for swimming may not be used for other purposes. Special EventsEvent organisers can apply to the ARC Harbourmaster for temporary reservation of sea areas for events and for the temporary suspension of bylaw requirements, for safety reasons and to avoid conflict. Swimming & Diving near WharvesThis is prohibited within 50 metres of wharves regularly used for berthing and unberthing vessels. Swimming AreasSome harbour areas are set aside for swimmers and are marked by white buoys. These are at St Heliers, Kohimarama and Pt Chevalier off Coyle Park. ObstructionDo not obstruct access to any wharf, landing place, boat ramp slipway or mooring. PriorityAll vessels, including sailing vessels, are to keep at least 50 metres clear of all large vessels (over 500 tons) which are navigating inside Auckland’s Pilotage Districts i.e. west of a line between Tiri Tiri Matangi and Rakino Islands and eastwards of the Manukau Bar. Prohitibed Anchorage AreasThe following areas are prohibited anchorage areas:
Auckland Harbour Restricted AreasHarbour CommunicationsThe Port Radio Station uses VHF channel 12. Listen to this channel and you will hear the Port Radio Station talking to ships arriving and departing Auckland. This will allow you to know what time ships will be moving about the port and where they will be going. Harbourmaster (09) 362 0397 Motuihe Channel and Harbour BridgeThese have special “lanes”.
(Keep out of their way. Make your intentions obvious and keep well clear). Commercial Shipping ChannelsThese are the channels and areas large ships will use within the harbour and its approaches. Inside these channels you must:
Reserved AreasSome harbour areas are reserved for specific use e.g. non-mechanically powered vessels only to be used in Judges Bay and Panmure Basin (apart from authorized water-skiers). Collision PreventionReport any collision to the Auckland Council Harbourmaster in writing within 48 hours of the accident. All persons must abide by the provisions of Maritime Rule 22 – Collision Prevention. Navigational AidsNot to be secured to, damaged or interfered with. Personal WatercraftMust be registered with Auckland Council and display unique assigned number on both sides of the hull. For new and change of registrations phone the Auckland Council Harbourmasters Office. Moorings
Vessels to be Adequately securedNo anchorage in navigation channels or approaches to wharves/jetties. Vessels to be ServiceableAll vessels moored or anchored in the harbour are to be seaworthy. If not they can be removed by Auckland Council. Harbourmaster’s Directions
Marine Oil SpillsThe Auckland Council Harbourmaster’s team responds to marine oil spills. Responsibility for preventing marine oil spills lies with the skipper of the vessel. Even relatively small amounts of fuel and oil spills can be fatal to birds and sea life and spoil our unique coastal environment. People who spill fuel or oil can be prosecuted under the Resource Management Act and fined. Clean-up costs incurred by the Auckland Council are also recovered from the spiller. These costs can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Most oil and fuel spills are the result of careless refueling or pumping oily bilge water overboard
If you see marine oil spills call the Auckland Council Harbourmaster’s Duty Officer on 09 362 0397 – (24 hours, 7 days a week) Important Auckland Council Contact NumbersAuckland Council Contact Centre (09) 366 2000 For further Information and Copies of the Bylaw Harbourmaster |