PORT PHILLIP BAY, MELBOURNE, GEELONG AND PORT PHILLIP HEADS, VICTORIA

Port Phillip (Melbourne): boating safety

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Port Phillip is a large bay with Melbourne at its northern end and yacht clubs along its shores. Its narrow entrance, Port Phillip Heads (The Rip), is a designated hazardous area, and big ships use its channels day and night.

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

Ports Victoria manages navigational safety in Melbourne and Geelong port waters. Harbour Master (emergency incidents): +61 3 9644 9777, via Melbourne VTS.

Ports Victoria · Ports Victoria ▾
ports.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Ports Victoria manages navigational safety in the port waters of Melbourne, Geelong and Hastings.”
ports.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Harbour Master (Emergency incidents) +61 3 9644 9777 (via Melbourne VTS)”

Weather

Marine Radio Victoria gives local VHF forecasts twice daily (times announced on channel 16) and broadcasts current weather warnings on VHF channel 67 every two hours (00:47, 02:48 ... EST).

Safe Transport Victoria – Victorian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook · Safe Transport Victoria – Victorian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook ▾
safetransport.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Marine Radio Victoria (MRV) provides twice daily local weather forecasts on VHF radio, with instructions and broadcast times announced regularly on Channel 16.”
safetransport.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “MRV also broadcast current weather warnings at 00:47, 02:48”

Local rules

On Victorian bays and coastal waters a 5-knot limit applies for boats and jet skis within 200 m of the water's edge, unless a notice excludes the area.

Safe Transport Victoria – Victorian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook ▾
safetransport.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “a 5 knot speed limit applies to boat operators and PWC operators under the following conditions: within 200 m of the water’s edge”

In the north of the bay (Port Melbourne Channel and by-pass channels, to about 3 nm south of Fawkner Beacon) there is a Transit Only Zone: do not anchor or drift. Anchoring in shipping channels or tying up to navigation aids is illegal.

Ports Victoria · Ports Victoria ▾
ports.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “In port of Melbourne waters, vessels must not anchor or drift within the Transit Only Zone. Penalties apply.”
ports.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Don’t anchor or moor in shipping channels. It is illegal. Don’t tether to navigation aids such as buoys and channel markers.”

Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park (Swan Bay, Mud Islands, Popes Eye, Point Lonsdale, Point Nepean, Portsea Hole) is no-take: all fishing is prohibited.

Parks Victoria – Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park Visitor Guide ▾
parks.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “All methods of fishing from the shore or at sea are prohibited, including fishing, netting, spearing, taking or killing of marine life.”

Hazards

Port Phillip Heads, the bay entrance known as The Rip, is a designated hazardous area: wear a lifejacket (PFD) there. No landing on the beaches around Point Nepean (unexploded ordnance).

Parks Victoria – Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park Visitor Guide · Parks Victoria – Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park Visitor Guide ▾
parks.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Wear a PFD in Port Phillip Heads, a designated hazardous area.”
parks.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Due to the presence of unexploded ordnance from previous military uses, there is no access from the water to beaches surrounding Point Nepean.”

Big ships use the bay 24/7 and have right of way in the channels. Keep well clear of their path and make sure you can see and be seen.

Ports Victoria ▾
ports.vic.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Big ships have right of way in the channels. Keep well clear of a ship’s path and make sure you can see and be seen at all times.”

Hospital and medical

The Alfred (Melbourne) has a 24-hour Emergency & Trauma Centre and a hyperbaric unit that treats decompression illness.

Alfred Health · Alfred Health ▾
alfredhealth.org.au (2026-10-14): “The Alfred Emergency & Trauma Centre operates 24 hours a day and is one of the state's busiest emergency departments.”
alfredhealth.org.au (2026-10-14): “We provide Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) to people with decompression illness (commonly known as 'the bends')”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Port Phillip (Melbourne)?

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 Port Phillip (Melbourne)?

Ports Victoria manages navigational safety in Melbourne and Geelong port waters. Harbour Master (emergency incidents): +61 3 9644 9777, via Melbourne VTS.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Port Phillip (Melbourne)?

Marine Radio Victoria gives local VHF forecasts twice daily (times announced on channel 16) and broadcasts current weather warnings on VHF channel 67 every two hours (00:47, 02:48 ... EST).

Read before you sail

Cold water shock and hypothermia: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

Hobart / D'Entrecasteaux Channel 320 nmSydney Harbour 393 nmGold Coast / Moreton Bay 737 nmWhitsundays AustraliaMarlborough Sounds New ZealandBay of Islands New ZealandAuckland and the Hauraki Gulf New ZealandNouméa New Caledonia

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