SYDNEY HARBOUR (PORT JACKSON), MIDDLE HARBOUR AND THE APPROACHES, NEW SOUTH WALES

Sydney Harbour: boating safety

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Sydney Harbour is one of the world's great natural harbours and the centre of Australian yachting, with racing most weekends and many marinas and bays. It is also a working port: cruise ships, naval vessels and commercial shipping share the fairways with a dense network of fast public ferries.

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.

Australia: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

Port Authority of NSW runs the 24/7 Sydney Vessel Traffic Service (Sydney VTS). Recreational boaters should listen to its safety broadcasts on VHF channel 13 in Sydney Harbour (channel 12 in Botany Bay) and check the daily ship-movement schedule before heading out.

Port Authority of New South Wales · Port Authority of New South Wales ▾
portauthoritynsw.com.au (2026-10-14): “Listen to the safety broadcasts from the 24/7 Vessel Traffic Services centre (Sydney VTS). Sydney Harbour - Channel 13 Botany Bay - Channel 12”
portauthoritynsw.com.au (2026-10-14): “Before you head out make sure you check the daily vessel movement schedules and listen to the safety broadcasts”

Weather

In New South Wales, VHF weather and safety broadcasts for small craft are the responsibility of Transport for NSW and Marine Rescue NSW; most coastal radio stations announce their local forecast times on channel 16.

Bureau of Meteorology · Bureau of Meteorology ▾
bom.gov.au (2026-10-14): “Most coastal radio stations provide regular local weather forecasts on VHF radio, with instructions and broadcast times announced regularly on Channel 16.”
bom.gov.au (2026-10-14): “New South Wales and ACT Transport for NSW Marine Rescue NSW”

Hazards

Ships using Sydney Harbour are getting bigger. Keep a lookout, keep a safe distance and act early; stay clear of the shipping channels and fairways when ships are entering or leaving; beware of large wakes, especially where ships move fast in relatively shallow water; show navigation lights at night.

Port Authority of New South Wales · Port Authority of New South Wales · Port Authority of New South Wales · Port Authority of New South Wales ▾
portauthoritynsw.com.au (2026-10-14): “Sydney Harbour is getting busier every year and ships coming to our shores are getting bigger.”
portauthoritynsw.com.au (2026-10-14): “Stay clear of the channels or fairways when seagoing ships are entering or departing the ports.”
portauthoritynsw.com.au (2026-10-14): “Be aware of wakes of seagoing ships, particularly when the large vessel is in a relatively shallow water and moving at higher speeds.”
portauthoritynsw.com.au (2026-10-14): “Always have your navigation lights on at night so other vessels can clearly see you.”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Sydney Harbour?

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 Sydney Harbour?

Port Authority of NSW runs the 24/7 Sydney Vessel Traffic Service (Sydney VTS). Recreational boaters should listen to its safety broadcasts on VHF channel 13 in Sydney Harbour (channel 12 in Botany Bay) and check the daily ship-movement schedule before heading out.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Sydney Harbour?

In New South Wales, VHF weather and safety broadcasts for small craft are the responsibility of Transport for NSW and Marine Rescue NSW; most coastal radio stations announce their local forecast times on channel 16.

Read before you sail

Ran aground? What to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

Gold Coast / Moreton Bay 372 nmPort Phillip (Melbourne) 393 nmHobart / D'Entrecasteaux Channel 574 nmWhitsundays 826 nmNouméa New CaledoniaBay of Islands New ZealandAuckland and the Hauraki Gulf New ZealandMarlborough Sounds New Zealand

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