Cruising Yacht Club of Australia SOLAS Big Boat Challenge

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Where

Between Mrs Macquarie’s Point and Cannae Point, Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour).

When

• 12:00pm to 3:00pm - Tuesday 9 December 2025.

Activity or Event

Vessel operators are advised that a licenced yacht race activity will be held on Port Jackson during the times above. The activity is a sailing race between 10-12 maxi yachts for potential line honours winners of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. It is the final race of the Australian Maxi Championship. 

Exclusion zone 

Due to the potential to affect the safety of navigation, Transport for NSW (‘TfNSW’) has granted an Exclusive Use Aquatic License to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia to conduct the activity and an  Exclusion Zone (‘the Zone’) will be established on the navigable waters of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) in the vicinity of Point Piper. The Zone will be indicated by yellow buoys and will be patrolled and enforced by Maritime control vessels from 12:20pm to 12:40pm or until after a clear start has been completed (see attached map).

A line of yellow buoys will also be laid extending northwest from the Shark Island west cardinal mark, to allow the competing yachts a clear exit after rounding the southern side of Shark Island.

Regulated Area 

Due to the risk of safe navigation and the nature of participating vessels, a Regulated Area will be created at the above times within which Special Restrictions will apply to all vessels operating within 200 metres of the Exclusion Zone. Pursuant to Section 18B(2)(b) of the Marine Safety Act 1998, the following Special Restrictions are applicable as follows in the Regulated Area:

• Maximum speed limit of 6 knots, Minimal wash must be produced. 

Directions

Transport for NSW advises that in relation to the Exclusion Zone:

• Persons within the Exclusion Zone must comply with a direction given by any Boating Safety Officer or Police Officer to leave the exclusion zone. Failure to comply with the direction is an offence (Marine Safety Act 1998, s.18B(4) - Maximum Penalty $1,100). 
• Persons within the vicinity of the Exclusion Zone must comply with any other direction given by any Boating Safety Officer or Police Officer that may be necessary for marine safety during the event. Failure to comply with any such direction is an offence (Marine Safety Act 1998, 15A(2) - Maximum Penalty $3,300.00). 

Maps & Charts Affected

To see the area affected, refer to:

• Transport for NSW Boating Map – 9D
• Navigation Chart AUS 200
• Exclusion Zone Map