The coastline in the vicinity of the entrance to Port Botany is lower lying than at Sydney and dangerous shoal water lies to the north of the entrance. Australia’s east coast is frequently beset by heavy swells in any quarter from north through east to south.
A vessel manoeuvring to pick-up a Pilot for Sydney Harbour or Port Botany should maintain a speed of about seven to nine knots and steer a course which puts the prevailing swell on the opposite quarter to the side on which the pilot ladder is rigged.
The Master of an arriving vessel should ensure sufficient sea-room is maintained to allow manoeuvres to provide a lee for the pilot cutter. Because of the frequent presence of swell, and its changing pattern close to the entrances, arriving vessels must not proceed inshore of the Pilot Boarding Place without the approval of the Pilot or Harbour Control.
All approaching vessels are tracked by radar as they get closer to the port areas, which extend four miles to seaward of the entrances.
Pilot vessels are 16 metre aluminium semi-planing hulls, of about 35 tonnes displacement, with yellow and orange topsides on which the word ‘PILOT’ is painted. When engaged on pilotage duty they carry international flag or light signals prescribed for pilot vessels on station.
The Port Corporation requires pilot ladders of all vessels, entering or departing Sydney or Port Botany, to be rigged in strict accordance with SOLAS regulations and IMPA recommendations. Harbour Control will advise of the height of ladder above water requirements.
To avoid possible delays to your vessel, Masters should take note of the following requirements:
Two proper manropes without knots or monkeys fists must be provided at all times. No tripping lines are to be attached to the pilot ladder below the lowest spreader.
Where the freeboard of the vessel exceeds nine metres and the use of a combined accommodation ladder and pilot ladder is necessary, the lower platform of the accommodation ladder should be about six metres above the waterline and, together with the pilot ladder and manropes, be secured to the ship’s side.