Port Phillip Bay is a popular location for boating, fishing, yachting and other aquatic pastimes – but it is also a gateway for commercial shipping. This means big ships such as container ships, car carriers and cruise ships are using the bay 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, going to and from the ports of Melbourne and Geelong.
Victorian Ports Melbourne state:
- Around 4000 ships visit Port Phillip Bay each year.
- Small boats are hard to see from a ship’s bridge.
- Just because you can see the ship, don’t assume the ship can see you.
- Many small vessels do not show up on radar.
- Big ships can’t stop quickly or manoeuvre like small boats.
- A ship’s speed may be faster than it seems and modern ship engines are quiet.
- It is illegal to anchor or moor in shipping channels.
Watch the boating safety video from Victorian Ports Melbourne on how to responsibly enjoy your time on Port Phillip Bay. Keep well clear of a ship’s path and make sure you can see and be seen at all times.
