OPERATIONAL AREAS

The waters surrounding Tasmania are segmented into a variety of operational areas: Sheltered Waters that comprise: Smooth Waters Partially Smooth Waters Coastal Waters that comprise: Inshore Waters (15 nautical miles to seaward of land) Restricted Offshore Waters (30 nautical miles to seaward of land) Offshore Waters (200 nautical miles to seaward of land) Tasmanian Coastal Waters (600 nautical miles to seaward of land) The definitions that have a bearing on the requirements of recreational boat operators are smooth waters and sheltered waters. The definitions of these waters are shown below. SHELTERED WATERS Sheltered waters are those listed below (including smooth waters) as well as any waters not exceeding 2 nautical miles to seaward of land on the North and East Coast of Tasmania. This does not include waters between Cape Grim and South East Cape unless specifically mentioned. All waters within a 5 nautical mile radius of the ports of :Bicheno, Bridport, Burnie, Devonport, Killiecrannkie, Lady Barron, Whitemark, Currie, Grassy Harbour, Naracoopa, Launceston, Port Arthur, Port Latta, Port Sorell, Smithton, Stanley, Ulverstone and Wynyard. Coles Bay - Within all waters of Great Oyster Bay bounded by an imaginary line drawn at 110 degrees true from Buxton Pt to Schouten Island and another line from Cape Degerando to Cape Baudin. Hobart - All waters bounded by: an imaginary line from Low Point (Wedge Bay) to Cape Queen Elizabeth; an imaginary line from Point La Billardiere to Southport Bluff; an imaginary line across the narrows at the entrance of Blackman Bay Port Davey - All waters bounded by an imaginary line from Garden Pt to O’Brien Pt Strahan - All waters within Macquarie Harbour (and bays and estuaries) not beyond an imaginary line drawn at 000 degrees true for a distance of ¾ of a nautical mile from Watts Hill and thence at 090 degrees true to the shore line. Triabunna - all waters of Mercury Passage, Spring Bay and Prosser Bay which are bounded by an imaginary line from Lords Bluff to Cape Boullanger and a line from Cape Bernier to Green Bluff. SMOOTH WATERS These are waters of an enclosed nature, and include inland waters. Ansons Bay - All waters of Ansons Bay not seaward of an imaginary line drawn from Policemans Point to the southern-most point of Abbotsbury Beach. Bridport - All waters that are bounded by an imaginary line drawn from Granite Pt to the eastern side of the Brid River. Burnie - Waters in Emu Bay bounded by an imaginary line drawn from Ocean Wharf, along the pipeline bridge to the western extremity of the Island Breakwater, and from the fixed green light on the Eastern end of the Breakwater to the shore on the Eastern side of the Emu River. Blythe River - Waters not seaward of the mouth of the river. Cam River - Waters not seaward of the mouth of the river. Coles Bay - Waters in Great Oyster Bay not seaward of an imaginary line drawn from Waterloo Pt to Fleurieu Pt. Devonport - Waters of the Mersey River bounded by an imaginary line from the seaward end of the Eastern breakwater to the signal mast on the Western shore. Lady Barron - Waters of the port of Lady Barron not seaward of an imaginary line drawn at 075 degrees true from Badger Corner to Adelaide Bay. Georges Bay - Waters not seaward of an imaginary line from Clerk Pt to Pelican Pt. Hobart - All waters bounded by an imaginary line from Cape Direction to Kelly’s Pt and another line from Scott Pt to Hopwood Pt. All waters in Norfolk Bay bounded not seaward of an imaginary line from Dorman Pt to Whitehouse Pt. Launceston - All waters of the Tamar River not seaward of an imaginary line across the Tamar through Barrel Rock and the centre of Shear Reef. Little Swanport - All waters within Little Swanport not seaward of an imaginary line drawn at 000 degrees true from Limekiln Point. Nubeena - All waters not seaward of an imaginary line drawn at 000 degrees true from Low Point to Lory Point. Pittwater - All waters of Pittwater not seaward of an imaginary line drawn from Tiger Head to Sandy Point. Port Arthur - All waters not seaward of an imaginary line from Welsh Pt to Budget Head. Port Davey - All waters within Bathurst Harbour not seaward of an imaginary line from Forrester Pt to Deep Pt. Port Sorell - All waters not seaward of an imaginary line drawn at 270 degrees true from Griffiths Pt. Smithton - All waters of Duck Bay not seaward of an imaginary line from Davis Pt to the northern most point of Perkins Island and another such line from drawn at 135 degrees true from the most easterly point of Perkins Island to the mainland shore. Stanley - All waters not seaward of an imaginary line drawn at 218 degrees true from the seaward end of the cargo wharf to the Eastern bank of East inlet. Strahan - All waters that are north of an imaginary line from Magazine Island to King Pt. Triabunna - All waters of Spring and Prosser Bay not seaward of an imaginary line from Point Home Lookout to Johnsons Pt. Ulverstone - All waters of the leven River not seaward of the river mouth. Wynyard - All waters of the Inglis River not seaward of the river mouth. These guidelines summarise Tasmanian waters operational areas. Complete details can be found in the Marine and Safety (Operational Areas) By-laws which can be purchased from the Printing Authority of Tasmania. Marine and Safety Tasmania Map of Operational Areas 350 kb