Sail Africa - Table Bay

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Harbour Authority

Table Bay is controlled by the Table Bay Port Control (Portnet).

Harbour Regulations applying to small carft

1 No small Craft shall anchor in any channel of the Harbour navigable by ocean going vessels, except by permission of the Port Captain, and such craft shall at all times be kept out of the way of ocean going vessels under way in any channel or navigable area in the harbour.

2 It is important to remember, ALWAYS proceed with caution in commercial shipping areas. A large vessel may appear to be proceeding slowly, but it is a fact that most travel at speeds upwards of SEVEN KNOTS when approaching the breakwater dock entrances. Port Control Limits is the area within a line extending from Green Point Light House to Robben Island Light House. Northern limit of Port is a line from Robben Island Light House.

3 At all times club Regulations pertaining to boat equipment for specific Classes must be complied with. All RCYC registered craft MUST display their allocated CTY and Sail number, in compliance with Harbour Regulations. Failure to do so will result in suspension of sailing rights.

4 On entering and leaving Duncan Dock or Ben Schoeman Dock, all craft, whether under motor or sail shall keep to the STARBOARD side of the entrance.

5 At all times, skippers must monitor commercial shipping movements by way of Port Control Light Signals which are situated at the top of the Port Control Building between the Duncan Dock and Victoria Basin entrances viz: BEN SCHOEMAN DOCK ...................... RED DUNCAN DOCK .................................. GREEN VICTORIA DOCK .................................. ORANGE/AMBER When light is FLASHING a vessel is ENTERING. When a light is FIXED a vessel is SAILING (Departing).

6 VHF channel 16 is to be used only for initial contact and receiving purposes and DISTRESS. It is NOT to be used as a general talking frequency, ship to ship VHF Channels 06, 08 or 10 may be used. Channels NOT to be used, as they are pilot and Port working frequencies are as follows: 9, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 67, 70, 74. PLEASE NOTE: ALL RACE COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE ON CHANNEL 71.

7 LIGHTS AND FOG SIGNALS IN CAPE TOWN HARBOUR AREA TOP MARKS

Fairway Approach Buoy .. Flash white every 1 sec. - Red sphere
Buoy No.1 ..................... Flash Green every 3 sec. - Green conical
Buoy No.2 ..................... Flash red every 3 sec. - Red can
Buoy No.4 ..................... Flash red every 3 sec. - Red can
Buoy No. 8. Siren ...........Flash white 2 every 10 sec. - Black spheres
Buoy No. 10 .................. Flash yellow every 10 sec. - Cross Main Breakwater ............Flash green every 2 sec.
Main Breakwater Fog Signal Horn ............. 2 long and 1 short blast every 30 sec.

NOTE: this is the only fog signal in the dock. Green Point Light Horn ...............................1 long blast every 30 seconds
West side of Robben Island ........................2 long blasts every 30 seconds

BEN SCHOEMAN DOCK: North Breakwater Light............... Flash red every 2 sec.
Port Entrance Light.................... Multi Lights fixed red. Starboard Entrance.................... Multi Lights fixed green horizontal

DUNCAN DOCK: Port Entrance ........................... Multi Lights vertical fixed red Starboard Entrance ................... Multi Lights vertical fixed green
NORTH SPUR: This light is situated on a small breakwater on the starboard side before entering Duncan Dock .. Flash green every 2 sec.

NOTE: IT IS THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT ALL SKIPPERS SIGN THEIR CRAFT OUT IN THE REGISTER BEFORE DEPARTURE FROM THE CLUB AND IN AGAIN ON RETURN. THE ENTERING OF A RACE OR ORGANISED EVENT ON AN ENTRY FORM DOES NOT EXCLUDE THE SIGNING OF THE RCYC REGISTER. CHARTS FOR THE AREA: SAN 1014 and SAN 1013.

Port Facilities & Regulations

On the spot repairs and ship chandlery are available at Action Yachting, as is gas and paraffin. Petrol can be obtained approximately 2 kilometres away at the nearest service station. The speed limit in the yacht basin is 3 knots.

The following is an extract from the office Harbour Tariff Book:

5.7 b) (i) Visiting yachts and other pleasure craft are not engaged in trade and do not moor at a commercial berth are allowed a free stay of 30 days in port. If such craft remain in port for a period in excess of 30 days, whether or not moored at a commercial berth, charges are payable at 32c per metre of length overall per day for the next 90 days, and 64c per metre of length for the following 90 days and thereafter 128c per metre of length overall per day for the remaining period up to 12 months. If such yachts and other pleasure craft remain in port for a period in excess of 12 months, charges at the rate of R3,84 per metre of length overall per day are payable.

(ii) Yachts and other pleasure craft moored at a commercial berth are liable for port dues in terms of Clause 1.3. (h).

(iii) Visiting yachts and other pleasure craft are allowed an initial free supply of 500 litres of fresh water, but additional supplies will be payable for in terms of clause4.3 (c). In addition, pilotage, if necessary will be provided without charge. (iv) Yachts and other pleasure craft returning to the same port within six months of date of departure shall continue to be subject tot he charge levied on the date of sailing as provided in Clause5.7 (b) (i).

Copies of the Harbour Regulations are available from Port Control on request.

Clearance Facilities

The RCYC Skippers Register must be completed on arrival and departure. Foreign yachts/Skippers, when departing South Africa for a foreign destination must clear as follows:
1. The Yacht Club where they will receive a clearance Certificate.
2. Then proceed to Immigration (Passport Control), Room 535, 5th Floor, Customs & Excise Building (just outside Adderley Street Customs Gate), then;
3. To the Harbour Revenue Office, Ben Schoeman Dock.
4. Customs at the Main Gate, where the Yacht Club Clearance Certificate is required. Local (South African) yachts/Skippers must first get approval from the Central Revenue office, in Plein Street. They may also need to get vaccinations and a health certificate - see the Government Medical Officer, also in the Revenue building in Plein Street.