Authorities are reminding boaties to stay out of designated prohibited areas if they plan to watch the finish of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on the River Derwent.
A large exclusion zone will be in place to provide the line-honours yacht sufficient room to navigate safely to the finish line, minimising the risk of collisions with spectator vessels.
The reminder follows an incident from the 2023 race, where a 57-year-old Sandy Bay man was charged for allegedly breaching the exclusion zone at the finish line.
According to Marine and Safety Tasmania, predicting the yachts’ route toward the finish line and their acceleration can be challenging.
“For this reason, boaters are reminded that they need to abide by the prohibited area that is designated each year,” a spokesperson said.
The prohibited area around the line-honours yacht is 100 metres on each side and behind the vessel, and 200 metres ahead for motorised vessels. For non-motorised vessels, the prohibited zone extends 200 metres in all directions.
“Vessels must abide by the prohibited area which will be implemented from White Rock. Only vessels flying the designated prohibited area flag will be permitted in the prohibited area,” a spokesperson for Tasmania Police said.
“No vessels (except for media vessels) will be permitted in the area between Elizabeth Street Pier and Kings Pier Marina until the line-honours yacht is berthed at the presentation areas adjacent to the entrance to Constitution Dock.”
