Almost every vessel underway creates varying degree of waves and turbulence as they move through the water. Therefore all boat owners need to be conscious of the wash and waves created by their vessels, particularly when boating in sensitive rivers and creeks, and near established marinas, boatsheds, rowing clubs and other shoreline based facilities. Damage to vessels, seawalls and shorelines is often the result of ongoing wash created by high-powered vessels, and small vessels can be swamped or capsized.
Different vessels respond differently to speed. Small speedboats travelling at speed will lift out of the water and travel on the plane creating little or no wash.
However larger semi-displacement cruisers travelling at speed, due to their weight, will dig in at the stern creating a large amount of wash.
A simple way to check your vessel wash is simply to look behind you and see how it affects the shoreline, and other vessels.
It is the responsibility of the vessel s driver to be aware of the wash the vessel is causing and adjust the trim and/or speed accordingly. The absence of any NSW Maritime NO WASH signage is not sufficient reason to continue to create dangerous or annoying wash.
NSW Maritime has received a number of complaints regarding EXCESSIVE WASH in the general area of Abbotsford Point extending from west of d Alboras Marina at Cabarita in an easterly direction to Abbotsford Bay opposite the Searle Monument on the Parramatta River and other sensitive Sydney Harbour and Middle Harbour areas
As a result of continual complaints Sydney Harbour Boating Service Officers will be conducting a NO WASH campaign throughout the 2005/2006 boating season focusing on education and compliance issues concerning damaging wash. Ultimately the impact of wash can be minimized if all boat drivers apply a healthy dose of care, courtesy and commonsense. Failure to do so may result in an on the spot fine of $550.00 for causing annoyance, nuisance or danger.