Please select your home edition
Edition
Marine Products Direct 2023 - Calypso LEADERBOARD

The early bird catches the fireworks: New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour

by Penny Robins 27 Dec 2019 06:04 GMT
New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour © Penny Robins

Skippers are advised to go easy on drinking, be mindful of others and arrive early for the best viewing spots on one of the busiest days on Sydney Harbour, New Year's Eve.

NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said more than 4000 spectator craft are expected to converge on Sydney Harbour to see the fireworks and other entertainment, including the 9.15pm Harbour of Light Parade.

NSW Maritime will manage the on water safety and traffic management for New Year's Eve on Sydney Harbour with around 50 patrols boats, including those from Marine Area Command Water Police and NSW Marine Rescue.

"Sydney Harbour is one of the best locations to view the lights and fireworks at 9pm and midnight. There will be a large number of boats competing for a limited number of anchorages and we want to ensure we do everything we can to facilitate safe vessel movements and prevent tempers flaring on the water," Mr Hutchings said.

"Boaters need to leave home early to secure prime vantage points in daylight, be patient as there will be a lot of marine traffic and crowds accessing the water at boat ramps, ensure vessels are out of exclusion zones and keep to the maximum six knot speed limit.

"Exclusion zones will be in place from 8pm on New Year's Eve to 12.45am on New Year's Day extending from Cockatoo Island in the west to Clark Island in the east. No unauthorised vessels will be allowed in these areas during this time and access beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be prohibited. The speed limit for recreational vessels in and around the exclusion zones will be six knots.

"Skippers should make sure their anchor is secured and won't drag, and boats have enough room to freely swing and not hit another vessel."

He said although last year on Sydney Harbour there were a handful of fines for not following lifejacket rules, the vast majority of boat operators were respectful and followed the rules.

"There's a lot to celebrate on New Year's Eve, just remember the alcohol limit for skippers is 0.05 (zero if under 18) - the same on water as it is on the road - and there's also no place for taking drugs and boating. If you plan to have a drink, ensure you have a Plan B - such as a designated skipper to get you and your boat home," Mr Hutchings said.

"It is also the skipper's responsibility to ensure all of the appropriate safety equipment including lifejackets, navigation lights and anchor lights are on board, in working order and used when appropriate.

"When the fireworks are complete, skippers will need to exercise patience as the fireworks barges cool down and thousands of other boats will be moving around the harbour with limited visibility.

"It's important in choppy conditions for everyone to wear a lifejacket, take it slow and reduce wash. Skippers must keep a proper lookout at all times and maintain a safe speed."

Last New Year's Eve there was one notable incident which resulted in a serious injury to the skipper and a written off boat after a fire started on board the vessel after refuelling at a marina.

New Year's Eve maps, exclusion zones and recommended vantage points here.

Related Articles

Merlin Rockets at Queen Mary
Double black diamond descent in the Craftinsure Silver Tiller Series A keen fleet of Merlin Rocket crews descended upon the Queen Mary reservoir on Saturday 14th June for another episode of the exciting event in the ever hotly contested Craftinsure Silver Tiller series. Posted today at 4:35 am
Scorpion Inlands at Chew Valley Lake
A needless scramble to find lifting rudders for the occasion 38 Scorpion sailors assembled in the sunshine at Chew Valley ready for the 2025 Inland Championship. After viewing the weed islands in some corners of the lake there was a scramble to find lifting rudders for the occasion. Posted today at 4:13 am
Finn World Masters in Medemblik Day 1
Eight races over two course areas in four groups with four different winners Racing at the 2025 Finn World Masters began in Medemblik, The Netherlands, on Monday with eight races over two course areas in four groups. Posted on 16 Jun
Youth Sailors Take on MKBYSA Regatta at Stewartby
Sailors aged 10 to 18 from all over Milton Keynes and Bucks came together Saturday 14th June saw perfect sailing weather at Stewartby Water Sports Club: warm, sunny, and windy just the way we like it! Sailors aged 10 to 18 from all over Milton Keynes and Bucks came together for three exciting races. Posted on 16 Jun
Firefly Craftinsure Vines series at South Staffs
Numbers for the last race were reduced as Birmingham Uni students held back Six visitors joined a four-strong 'local legends' fleet for the South Staffs Firefly Open on 14th June, part of the 2025 Craftinsure Vines series. The fleet was greeted with sunshine and a gusty force 3-4 SW breeze. Posted on 16 Jun
K1 Midland Area Championship at Bartley
Beat Your Predicted Place scheme awards prizes Bartley Sailing Club hosted the K1 Midland Area Championship on Sunday, June 15, 2025, an event shared with the Streaker Class and proudly sponsored by Ovington Boats. Posted on 16 Jun
Summer Series at Royal Temple YC race 1
A scrum and a kerfuffle off Ramsgate A running start was set by OOD Simon Northrop in 9-13 knots, leading to a scrum at the North Quern Buoy before a short fetch to Stonar and long run North East to the Broadstairs Knoll buoy off Viking Bay. Posted on 16 Jun
Færderseilasen 2025
Henri-Lloyd is honoured to have supported one of the world's most iconic overnight sailing races As proud title sponsor of the 2025 Færderseilasen, Henri-Lloyd is honoured to have supported one of the world's most iconic overnight sailing races. This year, the vibrant coastal city of Moss in Østfold served as the beating heart of the regatta. Posted on 16 Jun
Squibs at the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk June Regatta
A wonderful summer's day greeted the fleet A wonderful summer's day greeted the nine Squibs at RN&SYC (the UK's most Easterly Yacht Club) for the annual June Regatta weekend. The wind was forecast to pick up to 30 knots during the afternoon, so two races were planned for the morning, back to back. Posted on 16 Jun
Isle of Wight WASZP GP
Nineteen WASZPs converged on the Royal Victoria Yacht Club over the weekend Nineteen WASZPs converged on the Royal Victoria Yacht Club this weekend for the Isle of Wight WASZP Grand Prix, drawing sailors from as far away as Edinburgh and Cumbria for what turned out to be a weekend of excellent Solent sailing and close racing. Posted on 16 Jun