Portland has access to picturesque coastlines and excellent waters for recreational boating. The Local Port of Portland Bay is operated by Glenelg Shire Council as Local Port Manager and Waterway Manager on behalf of the State Government. All facilities, navigation and waters inside the boundary (see map below) are managed by Local Port Officers.

Recreational boats must obey speed restrictions and give way to commercial vessels. Mooring alongside commercial berths and anchoring at the entrance or approaches to the harbour without authorisation is an offence.

The boat ramp’s notice board has a detailed diagram about speed restrictions and safety information for small boat owners.

New commercial fishing boats or commercial workboats (tugs, tenders, survey boats etc.) arriving should be directed to the Trawler Wharf and advised to contact the Local Port of Portland Bay ASAP. Berth fees apply.

Unauthorised anchoring in the Local Port waters is prohibited.

Facilities

Town Jetty
Boat Ramp South
Boat Ramp North
Trawler Wharf (commercial fishing wharf)
Swing Moorings and Aids to Navigation
Transit Jetty
Portland Bay Marina
Swimming Pontoon

Local Port Officers operate an on-call roster for duty outside of business hours and also are on-call weekends and all public holidays. Initial contact should be with The Local Port or Portland Bay Manager or as directed by phone message. Alternatively, contact any Port Officer in an emergency.

For fee information or booking enquiries, please telephone
(03) 5522 2140

Further information is available from the Glenelg Shire Council website at:

Glenelg Shire Council

Recreational Vessel Safety Information

Recreational Boating Safety Brochure

Plan Your Day on the Water

Before heading out on the water make sure you check the
following:

Weather forecast
Shipping movements
Current weather

Shipping movements may occur at times other than the ones on the website, always be mindful of what’s happening around you.

For information on shipping movements.

For information on current weather.

Keep Clear of Big Ships

When operating a boat within port waters and around commercial
vessels it’s important to remember a few facts:

Large vessels cannot stop quickly
Large vessel may not be able to safely turn away

In a small boat you may not be visible from the bridge of a large ship

So when you are on the water make sure you keep clear of big ships.

Visibility from Big Ships

Small vessels may not be visible from the navigation bridge of a large ship. Vessels larger than 55 meters long are required to be able to see 2 ship lengths ahead or not less than 500 metres, which ever is shorter.

Even within this distance, due to the height of the bridge, the sea conditions and the size off the vessel, smaller vessel may not be visible.

Do not assume that large vessels have seen you and keep clear of large ships.

Large vessels cannot stop quickly. Unlike a car, a ship does not have a break. It can take between 5 to 8 ship lengths to stop without assistance. So for a 200 metre vessel that is 1600 metres to stop it.

Also larger vessels do not turn quickly and in some cases may be confined to navigating within a channel and cannot alter course.

When operating a recreational vessel in port waters always keep clear of big ships.

Speed of Large Ships

The speed of large ships can be deceptive, and they may appear from a small vessel to be a long way away and moving slowly. In reality they are likely to be moving quicker than you expect. Always take action to keep clear of big ships early.

Maneuvering Signals

Ships use sound signals to communicate. If you hear 5 short blasts or continuous sounding of a ships whistle, check where you are and if you could be in the way of the ship. Take action to keep clear. If in doubt, always keep clear.

Organising a Boating Event

The organisers of recreational boating events within port waters are required under section 51.4 of Harbour Masters Directions, to provide notification no less than 1 week prior to the event. Under the Marine Safety Act 2010 the organiser of an event is required to eliminate the risks of safety so far as is reasonably practicable or if it is not practicable to
eliminate the risks to safety, to reduce the risks so far as is reasonably
practicable.

If the event requires a water way rule change, Safe Transport Victoria require 5 weeks advanced notification.

Safety Equipment

Based on the size and type of recreational vessel and where you are operating the vessel you will be required to carry certain safety equipment as specified under the Marine Safety Act 2010. For more information, please refer to Transport Safety Victoria:

Make sure your safety equipment is fit for purpose, in good condition or working order and readily available in case needed.

It’s also important to wear a life jacket, if you end up in the water, the lifejacket will greatly improve your chance of survival. It is mandatory to wear a life jacket in most circumstances whilst on a vessel in Victorian waters.

For more information on the requirement for wearing a life jacket refer to Transport Safety Victoria

Port Security Zones

All recreational vessels and those not engaged in port
operations are required to:

Remain 25 metres clear of a commercial vessel at all times
Not to enter the dock basin near the grain silos
(do not go between KSA1 and Berth 5)

These security zones are enacted under Maritime Transport Facilities Offshore Security Act 2013 and can incur hefty penalties.

Anchoring in Designated Channels

It is prohibited under the Marine Safety Act to anchor in designated channels and fairways. When anchoring, always consider you proximity to a channel or fairway and do not anchor in the channel.

Safety Around Tugs

Tugs assist large ships to manoeuvre within the confined waters of the port. Tugs are very powerful vessels and their wash can create significant turbulence and current. Always be careful when navigating near tugs and be mindful of potential wash. Small vessels can be significantly affected by tug wash.

Tugs can also be connected to a ship via a towline. Never transit between a tug and the ship its assisting.

Flotsam and Jetsam

When navigating on the water make sure you keep a lookout for objects in the water, some objects can be large and cause significant damage to your vessel.

Safe Speed and Proper Lookout

It is the master of a recreational vessels responsibility to proceed at a safe speed and maintain a proper and effective lookout. Remember that others use the water for a variety of activities including:

Swimming, paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking, sailing and surfing.

Make sure you keep a good lookout so you can take action to ensure everyone is safe and you are traveling at a speed where you have enough time to take action.

Some vessels create a lot of wake and wash, make sure you consider this and the effect on others when underway in the breakwaters.

Diving

The master of a vessel for which recreational diving takes place shall comply with section 51.3.2 and 51.3.3 of Harbour Masters Directions.

Diving within port waters and adjacent waters has additional risks due to vessel movements including large commercial ships. Diving should
not take place on the inside of the Lee Break Water without approval from the Harbour Master or Duty Pilot to ensure that the safety of divers around shipping movements.

Harbour Masters Directions

The master of all vessels navigating within port waters shall comply with Harbour Masters Directions.

https://www.portofportland.com.au/port-operations/shipping/harbour-masters-directions

Victorian Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules (VOZR)

VOZR sets waterway rules for Victorian State Waters and individual waterways. Under VOZR the master of a vessel must not cause or allow the vessel to be operated on any State waters at a speed exceeding 5 knots:

(a) within 50 metres of a person in the water; or

(b) within 100 metres of a vessel or buoy on which a dive flag is displayed, or a rigid replica of that dive flag; or

(a) engaged in competition or training; or

(b) within an exclusive use or special purpose area prescribed in a Schedule to this Notice which is set aside for a specific activity under Clause 13 in which the width of water prevents the keeping of that distance.

Clause 13

Exclusive Use and Special Purpose Areas

(1) Where an activity in an area of water specified in a Schedule is subject to a condition or conditions governing the use of that area of water as prescribed in that Schedule, a person must not engage in that activity in that area of water in contravention of the prescribed condition or conditions of use.

(2) Where operation of a vessel in an area of water specified in a Schedule is subject to a condition or conditions governing the use of that area of water as prescribed in that Schedule, the master of a vessel must not cause or allow the vessel to be operated in that area of water in contravention of the prescribed condition or conditions of use.

For more information refer to Safe Transport Victoria