Newcastle Harbour is an important working port. It is not unusual on a busy day to have over 24 shipping movements in a 24 hour period.
Steps to stay safe near seagoing ships
- Before heading out, check when ships are arriving or departing at the daily vessel movement schedules.
- Listen to the safety broadcasts from the 24/7 Vessel Traffic Services of Newcastle Harbour on VHF Channel 09
- The safe navigation tracks that ships follow within the harbour are very precise with very little room for deviation.
- Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation.
- If you cannot see the bridge of the vessel, the bridge team cannot see you. Some vessels will have blind spots ahead of up to 600 metres
- Familiarise yourself with the shipping channels or fairways — don’t block or anchor in them.
- Stay clear of shipping channels when seagoing ships are entering or departing the ports.
Remember in Newcastle Harbour it can take ships up to 90 minutes from departing its berth before they get to the harbour’s busiest area at Harbour Entrance. - Determine if a ship is moving towards or away from you and act early so you can easily move away in time.
- Be aware of wakes of seagoing ships, particularly when the large vessel is in relatively shallow water and moving at higher speeds
- Determine if a ship is moving towards or away from you and act early so you can easily move away in time.
- Be aware of wakes of seagoing ships, particularly when the large vessel is in relatively shallow water and moving at higher speeds
Download Newcastle shipping channel map
Download our safety notice brochure for all boat operators
Newcastle shipping channel
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