BARWON RIVER, Barwon Heads Sailing Association (BHSA)
5 knot Exemption and Events Calendar 2024-2025
Date: Effective from 22 September 2024
Details:
Mariners are advised that the Barwon Heads Sailing Association (BHSA) will conduct
organised and scheduled sailing/boating activity events in the Barwon River north of the Barwon
Heads Bridge, within waters of the Local Port of Barwon Heads from 22 September 2024 to 11 May
2025. Barwon Coast Committee of Management makes the following declaration under section
203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).
For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Barwon Heads Sailing Association, persons and
vessels involved in the Barwon Heads Sailing Association 2024-2025 Season Racing Events are
exempt from the following requirements:
State Rules made under the Marine Act 1988
1. Clause 2(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a person in the water
2. Clause 2(c) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel
3. Clause 4(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 200 metres of water’s edge
4. Clause 4(b) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a wharf, jetty, slipway, diving
platform or boat ramp
Waterway Rules made under the Marine Safety Act 2010 / Marine Act 1988
5. Clause 10.1 of Schedule 10 – 5 knot speed restriction area on the waters of the Local Port of
Barwon Heads.
Subject to the conditions detailed below:
• Masters of rescue vessels are only exempt from items 1 to 5 when undertaking a rescue operation
to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs and deliver them to a
place of safety, and must adhere to speed and distance rules at all other times.
• Masters of competing vessels are only exempt from items 2 to 5 when competing in the events,
and item 2 only when operating within 50 metres of another competing vessel. Competing vessels are those noted on a current membership list maintained by BHSA.
• All participants involved with the event must wear a lifejacket at all times during the events and
vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment.
• The exemptions apply for the dates, times and events specified in Table 1 within the competition
area of the Local Port of Barwon Heads: North of Barwon Heads Bridge, upstream to channel marker 8.
• The exemptions apply provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the
application form and associated documentation, including the Racing Rules of Sailing, are
adhered to.