Harbour Control

Harbour Control operates a VHF marine radio service to assist vessels arriving, departing or operating within Sydney Harbour and Port Botany.

Harbour Control provides a continuous service to vessels within its areas of responsibility and records all transmissions on the working frequencies.

Harbour Control

Maintains and expedites a safe and orderly flow of shipping traffic within the Ports of Sydney Harbour and Port Botany. Provides an efficient communications base during any emergency situation which may develop in these ports.
Advises on the initiation, continuation and termination of activities within the port areas which may affect the safe passage of vessels.
Notifies the appropriate organisations about vessels known or believed to be in distress and in need of assistance.

Additional services provided by Harbour Control

Responsibility for all search and rescue operations in New South Wales outside of normal working hours, as directed by the State Police Department.

In an emergency situation, Harbour Control has direct communications with Water Police, AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Canberra and other emergency services.

Approximately five minutes after each hour, Harbour Control broadcasts on VHF Channel 13, navigational warnings and weather reports for Sydney Harbour, Port Botany and the immediate coastline, and advises the shipping movements expected for the next two hours.

Harbour Control, as Coast Radio Sydney, broadcasts navigational and weather warnings on VHF Channel 67; navigational warnings on 8176 kHz; and monitors specified VHF and HF frequencies for distress urgency and safety messages.

Report to Harbour Control

Vessels are required to report to Harbour Control in the following circumstances:

Notification of ETA when five miles from the Pilot Boarding Ground
When requiring approval to enter
When passing a reporting position
When anchored or arrived
If disabled, leaking, on fire or has been on fire
If involved in collision, grounding, close quarters situation
Notification of removal
Notification of departure
When requesting permission to depart
When requesting clearance to proceed
When commencing and completing bunker operations
When commencing and completing work that requires a work permit
When port safety or the environment may be compromised or the Master considers report is warranted

Contact Details

Telephone: 02 9296 4000
Email: harbourcontrol@sydneyports.com.au