Ship navigation area warning

Interaction between large ships and small vessels is rapidly increasing in Queensland.

Skippers of small vessels should, where possible, keep clear of ship navigation areas such as:

  • major shipping routes
  • pilot boarding grounds
  • anchorages
  • channels, swing basins and berths.

Small vessels should use a recommended small craft course, where provided, as a safer alternate route.

Ship navigation areas in Queensland

Port of Brisbane and Moreton Bay

You should maintain a listening watch monitoring Brisbane Vessel Traffic Service on VHF channel 12 or telephone (07) 3623 3900 and report your intention to travel along any channel before leaving.

Chartlet showing ship navigation areas and recommended small craft courses for the port of Brisbane and Moreton Bay

Port of Gladstone

The master of a vessel 10m in length or greater must report to Gladstone Vessel Traffic Service on VHF channel 13 and maintain a listening watch on that frequency when entering, leaving or moving within the Gladstone pilotage area.

Sailing vessels must use the safe navigable waterway extending from the recommended small craft course for the South Channel and the waters to the south. After making the crossing of the shipping channel at aids to navigation G1 and G2, then proceed in a similar manner on the northern side of the recommended small craft course to travel to The Narrows or the North Channel, or until the crossing of the shipping channel towards the entrance of Auckland Inlet and the Gladstone Marina.

Chartlet showing ship navigation areas and recommended small craft courses for the port of Gladstone

Hervey Bay and the port of Bundaberg

Chartlet showing ship navigation areas and recommended small craft courses for Hervey Bay and the port of Bundaberg

Port of Hay Point

Monitor VHF channel 16 at all times. Monitor VHF channel 10 to listen only for local shipping traffic. Hay Point Vessel Traffic Service can be contacted on telephone 1300 645 022 for information on shipping movements in the area. Report your intention to cross restricted area B on VHF channel 16 or by telephone to Hay Point Vessel Traffic Service.

Chartlet showing ship navigation areas for the port of Hay Point 

Port of Mackay

Monitor VHF channel 16 at all times. Mackay Marina is working VHF channel 11. Mackay Vessel Traffic Service can be contacted on telephone 1300 645 022 or VHF channel 16 for information on shipping movements in the area.

Chartlet showing ship navigation areas for the port of Mackay

Port of Townsville

You should maintain a listening watch monitoring VHF channel 12 or 16. All masters must adhere to the port busy signal at all times when in operation. The port busy signal indicates there is a large vessel manoeuvring within the port or channel. Vessels must wait for the light to be switched off before entering. If in doubt, masters need to contact the Townsville Vessel Traffic Service on VHF channel 12 or 16.

Masters of vessels entering the harbour will observe the red flashing port busy light atop lateral mark P16. Masters of vessels departing the harbour will observe the red flashing port busy light on the back of the front lead in Platypus Channel.

Last updated
06 January 2023