Major Yacht Services can arrange all the paperwork on your behalf, in advance, to speed the process up on the day.

Important documents:

• All on board the vessel will need a valid Passport and where necessary an Australian Visa.  Visas can be obtained through any Australian Consulate or Embassy.
• All on board are required to complete a passenger card and traveller's statement.
• The Master must have proof of clearance from his last overseas port of call.

CRUISING PERMITS:

A cruising permit will be issued to the Master provided Customs is satisfied that the craft is transiting in Australia.  Cruising permits are issued for a period of six months or the length of the Master's Visa, whichever is less.  Extension of the permit for a total of up to 12 months will be considered on application.

If circumstances of the craft's presence in Australia change, Customs must be advised as soon as possible.   Failure to do so can result in a cruising permit being revoked and the craft being deemed as imported, at which time payment of duty and sales tax will be required.

If the Master wishes to fly home and return later, appropriate control over the craft must be arranged and Customs advised.

Passenger survey certificate:

Any visiting overseas vessel seeking to operate commercially must as a minimum, hold a valid passenger survey certificate issued by another country or survey authority.  The Waterways Authority would treat each application on a case by case basis.

When applying for a berth for your vessel please advise Waterways if you wish to charter before or after the Sydney 2000 Games and if it is in survey.  Waterways will then correspond with you to finalise your specific requirements.

Engaging in chartering or any commercial activities between States and/or the Northern Territory in Australia, for example, from Sydney New South Wales to the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, is subject to the provisions of the Navigation Act 1912.  Any owner or operator should contact, prior to arranging to offer or undertake such voyages, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Department of Workplace Relations and Small Business (DWRSB).

What cannot be brought into Australia:

• Birds, feathers or poultry products
• Eggs and products containing eggs
• Cereal seeds, dried beans or peas
• Dairy products other than from New Zealand
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Bee products (except honey)
• Live plants, animals or insects
• Meat and meat products (fresh or dried) including canned pork, salami, ham and beef jerky
• Plant cutting or bulb
• Fresh or dried salmon and trout
• Soil or sand
• Straw, hay packing or stuffing
• Straw ornaments.

Almost every kind of food available elsewhere in the world can be found in Australia, either locally produced or imported under strict conditions.

If a vessel provisions in Australia and returns with those stores still onboard, all dry stores, canned goods and packaged frozen goods identifiable as Australian origin will be acceptable.  Fresh fruit and vegetables and frozen meat will not be allowed clearance on return to Australia regardless of origin. (this is because of the risk of infection/contamination.

BALLAST WATER:

Ballast water guidelines include measures in relation to:

• Ballasting in safe areas at the port of uptake.
• Enroute treatment of ballast water, including fully exchanging ballast at sea, or on board water treatment (proposed treatments should be cleared beforehand with Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.)
• De-ballasting on arrival, including a commitment not to discharge ballast, treatment methods approved by AQIS and discharge of ballast and sediment into approved areas nominated by AQIS.

Ship masters may use one, or a combination of these measures.

In addition ship masters should avoid the release of sediment discharge when ballast is released.  This can be helped by:-

• Ensuring wherever possible that ballast taken on is free of sediment
• Ensuring ballast tanks and any holds used for ballasting are kept clean.
• Avoiding ballasting in shallow water where sediment uptake is more likely.
• Avoiding ballasting when toxic blooms are occurring.

NAVIGATION:

Sydney Harbour is a busy commercial port.  Approaches to the Harbour and transit within the harbour, using either the east or west channels, are prominently marked on Charts AUS197, 200 and 203 inclusive.

Leads and channels are well lit and easily identifiable.  You can contact Sydney Harbour Control on VHF Ch16 three hours before ETA at Sydney Heads and maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch 13

PILOTAGE:

Recreational or privately owned vessels (under 30 metres) do not require a pilot unless they are carrying fare-paying passengers.  If required, pilotage can be arranged by contacting Sydney Sea Pilots, or Major Yacht Services direct.

 RADIO FREQUENCIES:

• VHF Ch 13 - 16 is Sydney Harbour Control
• VHF Ch 12 is used for General Instructions
• VHF Ch 67 is used after clearing Bradleys Head (halfway down the harbour) and
• VHF Ch 17 is Waterways Control

SOME IMPORTANT REGULATIONS:

Vessels must maintain a 30-metre distance off any other vessel or person in the water when travelling at or more than 10 knots.

Some Sydney Harbour Ferries display an orange diamond shape, which grants priority over sail.

At all times be aware of your speed and wash affecting other vessels or shore and navigate at an appropriate speed.

Stringent environmental controls are in place for Sydney Harbour.  Absolutely no waste material(s) are allowed to be discharged into the Harbour.  There are also quarantine requirements for waste materials imported into Australia.