HOBART AND THE RIVER DERWENT, STORM BAY, D'ENTRECASTEAUX CHANNEL AND BRUNY ISLAND, TASMANIA

Hobart / D'Entrecasteaux Channel: boating safety

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Hobart is a working port on the River Derwent estuary in south-east Tasmania. South of the city, the D'Entrecasteaux Channel between the mainland and Bruny Island is a sheltered cruising ground with many anchorages and fish farms.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 000
Call 000 and ask for Police. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

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Harbour and marinas

TasPorts' Hobart VTS covers Hobart, Port Arthur, Port Huon and the D'Entrecasteaux Channel on VHF 12 and 16.

TasPorts ▾
tasports.com.au (2026-10-14): “Hobart VTS Area, Hobart, Port Arthur, Port Huon, D'Entrecasteaux channel Hobart VTS 12, 16”

The Sullivans Cove public berthing facility allows stays of up to five hours (longer with MAST approval). For overnight stays at Constitution Dock or Kings Pier contact TasPorts: Port Tower 6222 6061, VHF 16.

Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) · Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) ▾
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “The Sullivans Cove Public Berthing Facility provides short term berthing for up to five hours.”
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “For overnight stays at Constitution Dock or Kings Pier in Hobart, contact Tasports: Office – 1300 366 742 Port Tower – 6222 6061 VHF Ch16”

Weather

Tas Maritime Radio is Tasmania's VHF weather service. Its scheduled broadcasts (0745, 1345, 1733) are announced on channel 16; an automated south-east inshore forecast (Derwent, Storm Bay, the Channel) runs on VHF channel 1 every half hour.

Bureau of Meteorology · Tas Maritime Radio · Tas Maritime Radio ▾
bom.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Tasmania Marine and Safety Tasmania Tas Maritime Radio”
tasmaritime.au (2026-10-14): “The skeds times are 0745, 1345 and 1733 hours.”
tasmaritime.au (2026-10-14): “South-east Inshore Automated Weather - VHF Channel 1”

Local rules

Sullivans Cove (west of a line from the Port Control Tower to Princes Wharf No. 3) is a 5-knot zone. Everywhere in Tasmania, keep to 5 knots within 60 m of another vessel, a structure or the shore.

Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) · Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) ▾
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Boaters operating within Sullivans Cove must travel at a speed no greater than 5 knots”
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “vessels operate at 5-knots or less when within 60 metres of another vessel, structure or the shore.”

Tasman Bridge: recreational vessels and boats up to 15 m must not use the main navigation span or the secondary spans either side of it unless MAST authorises. Do not anchor, drift or tie up near the Derwent bridges.

Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) · Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) ▾
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Vessels not exceeding 15 metres in length and recreational vessels must not cause or allow the vessel to pass under the bridge through the main navigation span, or the secondary navigation spans either side of the main navigation span”
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “No vessel should be made fast to the bridges, or anchor or drift in the vicinity of the bridges”

All vessels must give way to ships under pilotage, and there is a 60 m prohibited zone around a piloted ship and its tugs while berthing.

Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) · Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) ▾
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Every vessel, commercial and recreational, motor or sail, must give way to ocean-going ships under the command of a Pilot or a pilot-exempt master.”
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “A 60 metre prohibited zone exists around:”

MAST public cruising moorings (yellow buoys, e.g. Adventure Bay on Bruny Island): 4-hour daytime limit, or overnight if picked up after 1 pm (until 9 am).

Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) ▾
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “A 4 hour time limit during day; Vessels picking up the mooring after 1.00 pm may remain until 9.00 am the following day;”

Hazards

Most Tasmanian marine farm leases are in the south-east of the state, with fish pens, shellfish farms and service vessels. Leases are marked at their corners by yellow special marks; avoid navigating inside a lease because of uncharted underwater hazards.

Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) · Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) ▾
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Mariners should avoid navigating within the lease, as there may be underwater hazards that are not charted or easily apparent when navigating in the vicinity.”
mast.tas.gov.au (2026-10-14): “These markers are yellow in colour and may have lights and a cross.”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Hobart / D'Entrecasteaux Channel?

Call 000 and ask for Police. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Hobart / D'Entrecasteaux Channel?

TasPorts' Hobart VTS covers Hobart, Port Arthur, Port Huon and the D'Entrecasteaux Channel on VHF 12 and 16.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Hobart / D'Entrecasteaux Channel?

Tas Maritime Radio is Tasmania's VHF weather service. Its scheduled broadcasts (0745, 1345, 1733) are announced on channel 16; an automated south-east inshore forecast (Derwent, Storm Bay, the Channel) runs on VHF channel 1 every half hour.

Read before you sail

Thunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to doCold water shock and hypothermia: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

Port Phillip (Melbourne) 320 nmSydney Harbour 574 nmGold Coast / Moreton Bay 946 nmMarlborough Sounds New ZealandAuckland and the Hauraki Gulf New ZealandBay of Islands New ZealandWhitsundays AustraliaNouméa New Caledonia

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