Marine Notice

Notice No. MNSE0511
11 - 20 April 2011

Navigation Restriction - Special Event - Sydney Harbour and Avoca Beach Central Coast
Scuttling of the Ex-HMAS Adelaide

 

THE EVENT

Vessel operators are advised that an Event Program (‘the Event’) associated with SCUTTLING the Ex-HMAS Adelaide (‘the ship’) will take place between Monday 11 April 2011 and Wednesday 20 April 2011 across several waterways, being the navigable waters of Port Jackson (‘Sydney Harbour’), in coastal waters during transit of the ship by towing from Sydney to Avoca Beach, and at a marked location one nautical mile off Avoca Beach in the Tasman Sea.

SPECIAL EVENT AREA

To ensure the safe conduct of the Event, NSW Maritime DECLARES the Event to be a SPECIAL EVENT for the purposes of Section 12(2) of the Marine Safety Act 1998 and as such, a defined Special Event Area will be established within which special navigation rules will apply:

• IN TRANSIT
  between 5.30am on Monday 11 April 2011 and 4.00pm on Tuesday 12 April 2011 (est.)
  In the waters of Sydney Harbour between No 2 Glebe Island Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Heads,  AND in the Coastal Waters between Sydney Heads and Avoca Beach; and

• IN SITU
  between 4.00pm Tuesday 12 April 2011 and 12:00pm (midday) on Wednesday 20 April 2011
  In a marked and buoyed off area approximately 1500m radius in size and about one nautical mile (1852m) off Avoca Beach.

EXCLUSION ZONES

Within the Special Event Area, specific Exclusion Zones will be established and enforced as follows:

• IN TRANSIT
  Within a 200 metre radius from the ship, or any tugs or tow lines associated with the ship when in transit across Sydney Harbour AND when in transit through coastal waters AND when moored in her scuttling position off Avoca Beach. Transit is anticipated to be during the period from 5.30am on Monday 11 April 2011 until 4.00pm Tuesday 12 April 2011, but may be subject to change (see below);

• IN SITU
  Within a 1000 metre radius of the ship when in her scuttling position off Avoca Beach during the period immediately prior and during scuttling, being 4.00pm Tuesday 12 April 2011 until midday Wednesday 13 April 2011; and
  
  Within a 200 metre radius from the marked area around where the ship will be in the process of settling on the sea bed after scuttling, which is anticipated to be during the period 12:00pm (midday) Wednesday 13 April 2011 until 12:00pm (midday) Friday  15 April 2011.

The Exclusion Zone for the ‘in transit’ phase will be patrolled by NSW Maritime and Police vessels. The fixed ‘in situ’ Exclusion Zones will be marked by lit yellow boundary buoys and/or will be patrolled by NSW Maritime or Police vessels.

TIMES AND DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

The times and dates of transit of the ship from Sydney Harbour to Avoca Beach are weather dependent and may be changed within the time period declared as a Special Event without notice. Should the transit of the ship occur on an alternative day due to delay, the Exclusion Zones detailed above will apply on that day as if declared for that day.

DIRECTIONS

• 1) NO UNAUTHORISED VESSELS are permitted inside the declared EXCLUSION ZONES. A penalty of up to $1,100.00 may apply to any vessel operator who breaches an Exclusion Zone (Section 12(6) Marine Safety Act 1998)
• 2) Persons within the vicinity of the Special Event Area must comply with any directions given by a NSW Maritime Officer or Police Officer in relation to the Special Event or to marine safety. Failure to comply with any such direction is an offence (Marine Safety Act 1998, s.15A - Maximum Penalty $3,300.00).

For the duration of the Special Event, and pursuant to section 12(4) of the Marine Safety Act 1998, in addition to complying with the Exclusion Zones, vessel operators are also required to comply with the following special conditions and navigation restrictions when operating or anchored within the greater Special Event Area.

• a) A speed limit of 6 knots applies to all vessels not directly associated with the Event within a radius of 400m from the ship or any tugs or tow lines being used to tow the ship while in transit and within 200m of the exclusion zone when the ship is at Avoca.

• b) The Special Event Area is declared a “No Wash Zone” for the duration of the Event. Creation of wash which impacts unreasonably on other vessels, works, structures or the shore is an offence (cl. 9 Marine Safety (General) Regulation 2009 - Maximum Penalty $5,500.00) The Event is considered to be ‘works’ for the purposes of this provision.

• c) Vessel operators must keep a proper lookout at all times and must maintain a safe distance and speed (s.10 Marine Safety Act 1998 – Maximum Penalty $5,500.00).