Sydney new years evening

[savoir]

Taking legal advice from cops is not a good idea. The alcohol part ( Part 3 ) of the Marine Safety Act only applies to vessels underway ( see section 21 ). The term "underway" is fairly broad does include drifting and being towed but not anchored.

[Wanderlust]

Originally Posted by Ironman162

...... a protected mooring well out of the way around Cockatoo Island.

I'm not so sure Cockatoo Island will be well out of the way as one of the fireworks barges will be right there. The NE side is prohibited from anchoring as it's right near that barge.

Have you seen the harbour plan for the night?

Boating | 2013 Sydney New Years Eve

I was thinking more in the bays like Woolwich, or even on the Lane Cove River side. The anchoring depths are a lot easier there.

[boden36]

The rules are a little ambiguous in NSW. Apparently they cannot RBT you at anchor but: (from NSW Maritime)
Alcohol and drug offences

Breath testing, including random breath testing (RBT), can be conducted on the operator of a vessel while it is underway (including drifting).
RBT does not apply when a vessel is moored, berthed or at anchor. Driving under the influence of alcohol is an offence, and be aware Maritime Boating Safety Officers can issue a court attendance notice. A designated driver (skipper) should remain under the legal limit when out on the water in case you need to move your vessel.
Permissible concentration of alcohol limits are as follows:

• less than 0.02 for commercial vessel operators.
• 0.00 for recreational vessel operators aged under 18 years.
• less than 0.05 for recreational vessel operators over 18 years.

The operator of a vessel includes anyone steering or exercising control over the course or direction of a vessel and includes the observer in a ski boat or PWC, as well as the person being towed.

Regards,
Richard.

[Ironman162]

What a disaster it turned out to be!
I arrived early at Clarks point picked a great spot and lowered the anchor.

Unfortunately the anchor kept slipping and we got dangerously close to rocks and other boats.

After the third attempt my partner was besides herself with anxiety and we limped back to our mooring feeling awful! Much to our surprise we could still see some of the fireworks against the city line and enjoyed it as much as we could.

Further research revealed we were trying to anchor in 10m deep water with a 20 lb anchor 6m of chain and 30 m rope.
This turned out borderline gear for a 30ft motor cruiser and I'm in process of upgrading the anchor equipment.
The sea was quite rough with 1m swell in addition to the wake of numerous boats it bordered to a washing machine.
It really not much fun when partners panic when the wind or the current dragged us were we didn't want to be.

It was good experience though and I will be better armed next time a few thousand $ later lol!
I'm doing the anchor manually by hand as I like the feel of things but could kill for a Windlass at the time.
Anyway we prob all have been there at some time and I admit it's a steep learning curve but hey, you have to start somewhere. Having said that the crowded venue is prob not the best to start.
How nice would it have been if someone could have grabbed me and tied me to their boat so that we could enjoy the evening but that's prob too much to ask I suppose ...

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[savoir]

The best place to anchor is off the little beach in the back of Athol Bight. The downside is that a big flybridge cruiser can take your view. Yachts won't bother. The bottom there is sand and the water is only about 5m.

Sounds to me like you were trying to anchor on rock.

[Ironman162]

Thanks for that I will try there as a trial run as soon as I have my gear updated.
There were other boats on anchor there at Clarks point that seemed ok.
I would hate to spoil the view for others!
Thanks for your reply and the info it's always good to know the good spots!

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[Ironman162]

Is that the other side near Port Jackson? Looks like a really nice spot!

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[savoir]

East of the zoo wharf

[Hoohaa]

I think Athol Bay off the zoo is the best spot but you need to be there early.
This year I was at Farm Cove, arrived the afternoon before and pretty much had the pic of the place.
Was there last year as well and our Anchor dragged (Delta) so wound up setting 2 and untangling the mess at about 3am. Researched and bought a very large and very good anchor. No problems this year.
So here are the results.
The spot.


Here's the Anchor, so far its been brilliant.


Hope you have better luck next year.

[savoir]

When I went to Farm Cove I was showered with ash

[Hoohaa]

Coped one last year, but wind was from the East during the show this year. All good.

[donradcliffe]

Brings back great memories from the Millennium off Farm Cove. Fortunately we were not downwind of the restaurant barge which dragged, but we spent the evening fending off latecomers with insufficient scope.

[Hoohaa]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

, but we spent the evening fending off latecomers with insufficient scope.

That's called "meeting the neighbours". All part of the fun

[Ironman162]

Talk of insufficient scope! Looking back I can only smile!

Geez that's a great photo and just what I needed to keep the spirit up, I will be there next year with only my boots on

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[Ironman162]

Oh well here I go again .... going to the Sydney NYE fireworks....This time older wiser and better equipped.
Will let you know how it went. ..Gulp!

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