Masters of vessels are advised that there is only one Harbour Control servicing the ports of Sydney Harbour and Port Botany. Masters should indicate their destination port when making initial contact.
Vessels approaching Sydney Harbour or Botany Bay shall call Harbour Control on VHF Channel 16/12 when 4 hours from the Pilot Boarding Place. Harbour Control will at this time advise pilot ladder requirements; request confirmation of arrival drafts and displacement; advise on engine and thruster testing results, and any other special requirements.
Vessels should then listen on VHF Channel 16/12 as they make their approach and confirm their position to Harbour Control when two (2) hours and one (1) hour from the Pilot Boarding Place.
Vessels should report to Harbour Control on VHF Channel 13 when they are five (5) nautical miles from the pilot boarding place. Harbour Control broadcasts navigational, weather, tidal and shipping movement information via VHF Channel 13 at approximately five minutes past each hour. Masters are requested to monitor these broadcasts while approaching the port to familiarise themselves with local traffic movements.
The pilot prior to boarding, will initially establish radio contact on VHF channel 13 with the vessel, then use VHF channel 6 as the working channel for boarding instructions and for the boarding operation
The pilot shall then obtain from Harbour Control, approval to enter port, a communication channel for tugs and receive any specific information regarding port entry.
VHF channels generally utilised for communication are:
All inbound vessels shall advise harbour control on passing the following reporting points:
Sydney Harbour
a. Line Zulu
b. Sea Buoy
c. Bradleys Head
d. Fort Denison
Port Botany
a. Henry Head
b. Molineaux Point
When an inbound vessel has secured to a berth or buoy, or brought-up to anchor, the pilot shall advise Harbour Control the such vessel has 'arrived' or 'anchored' as appropriate.