Hi All,
The NSW MSR has a survey out at the moment that needs to be addressed by all of the watersport public, and more specifically, that will have serious implications for the wingers who use Yarra Bay and the La Perouse area.
The link to the specific section of the survey (took me under 5 mins to complete) is here:
www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/marine-safety-regulation/survey_tools/safer-port-operations
Below is my comments which I placed in the feedback section of the survey.
I am concerned for the control of waters within Yarra Bay including Phillip Bay and the waters around La Perouse. While the shipping lane at the entry to Botany Bay passes to the south of these areas, the exclusion zone extends well into the general Yarra Bay waters. This area is used extensively by recreational boaters and for recreational watersports such as sailing, windsurfing, kiting and wingfoil activities. I have been sailing in this area for many years and can comfortably say that the interference recreational boating and watersports in general with shipping in the main Botany Bay channel is minimal. The ship movements are not continuous and there are many hours of the day when commercial activities do not interfere with the enjoyment of the waters around the Yarra Bay/La Perouse areas.
In many cases the tugs come out and wait for a ship to enter, these tugs have been seen to wait at the entrance to Yarra Bay at the edge of the shipping channel.
Is there any method for these tug vessels to sound a warning to all members of the recreational boating/watersport public to clear the area as commercial vessels are approaching?
This would allow time for the recreational watersport enthusiasts to clear the area so as not interfere with commercial operations. Once the vessels have departed from the Yarra Bay open waters area, the exclusions zone of the channel and surrounds could be lifted to allow the enjoyment of the water to continue.
I strongly disagree with a continuous restriction of the waters in and around the Yarra/La Perouse area.
There are some interesting questions about a number of issues around boats in general, even if you don't wish to comment on specific activities the survey shows the governments and the public servant thinking on watersport and recreational boating activities in NSW.
All the best,
Gary
Thanks Gary for sharing this and have had my say too. Am not as clear and composed as you in my feedback session:
Yes I have feedback.
1st is that your Pilot boat captains are overtly aggressive towards recreational water users outside the marked sea channel. I have been paddling inside Yarra Bay and had them run at me at speed, spin sideways and be unnecessarily rude. I have no intention of going into the channel... they need not be so zealous.
As a kiteboarder, ski paddler and previously a sailboarder in the area for >15 years, I have seen less ship traffic and more Pilot boat misbehavior of late... now you want to expand the power of the Port, bring in Cruise ships, lock off areas for ferry rides to Kurnell?!
Commercial operators should use the shipping lane as and when they like, but any incident is more likely to be because of the commercial activities taking shortcuts on their operating procedures to maximize profits, not recreational users trying to get a bit of exercise or downtime.
Sounds like it's easier/more profitable to transfer privileges from the powerless recreational user to the private sector. Not a good thing.
Regards,
Nathan
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