Annual Post Christmas Cruise

LAKE MACQUARIE CRUISE IN COMPANY

28 December 2026 to approximately 10 January 2027

Cruise Information

The Club advises members that a Cruise in Company to Lake Macquarie is planned to commence on or about 28 December 2026, with a return voyage to Pittwater on or about 10 January 2027.

Participation in the cruise is voluntary and is open to Club members wishing to make their way to Lake Macquarie.

A designated Cruise Leader will be appointed. Departure time, meeting point and other relevant details will be advised prior to departure.

Participating vessels are encouraged to depart together and follow the nominated route. However, the proposed departure date of 28 December 2026 is a suggested date only.

Each skipper remains responsible for determining their own departure time and passage plan, having regard to the condition and capability of their vessel, crew experience, weather forecasts, sea conditions and all other relevant circumstances.

The return voyage to Pittwater will also be coordinated by the Cruise Leader. The proposed return date is indicative only and may be varied according to prevailing conditions and the wishes of participating vessels.

Radio Arrangements

All participating vessels must carry a serviceable VHF radio and maintain:

• A listening watch on Emergency VHF Channel 16; and
• A listening watch on Working VHF Channel 77 while underway.

Morning and afternoon radio schedules will be conducted at times nominated by the Cruise Leader.

Vessels will be called in alphabetical order.

At each scheduled radio call, vessels should report:

• Vessel name
• Current position (Lat and Long)
• Any information relevant to the safety or progress of the cruise

Important

The radio schedules, logging-on procedures and position reporting requirements apply only during the coastal passage from Pittwater to Lake Macquarie and during the return coastal passage from Lake Macquarie to Pittwater.

There is no requirement for participating vessels to log on, report positions or participate in scheduled radio calls while cruising within Lake Macquarie unless otherwise advised for a specific Club activity.

Most day-to-day communications will be via the dedicated Christmas Cruise WhatsApp group which will be set up prior to the cruise and to which all participants will be invited,

Responsibility of Skippers

Each skipper is solely responsible for:

• The operation, navigation and seaworthiness of their vessel;
• The safety and welfare of all persons on board;
• Determining whether their vessel is suitably equipped for the proposed voyage;
• Determining whether weather and sea conditions are suitable for departure and continuation of the voyage;
• The competence and suitability of their crew; and
• Ensuring compliance with all applicable maritime laws, regulations and safety requirements.

Participation in the Cruise in Company does not reduce or transfer any responsibility from the skipper of a participating vessel.

Insurance Requirements

As a condition of participation in the Cruise in Company, each participating vessel must maintain current Third Party Liability Insurance with a minimum cover of $10,000,000.

Participating skippers may be required to provide evidence of current insurance cover upon request by the Club.

Role of the Cruise Leader

The Cruise Leader is appointed solely to facilitate communication and coordination between participating vessels.

The Cruise Leader:

• Is not a pilot;
• Is not an escort vessel;
• Is not a safety officer for the fleet; and
• Does not assume responsibility for the navigation, operation or safety of any participating vessel.

Each skipper remains solely responsible for the navigation and safety of their own vessel and crew and should exercise that responsibility independently of guidance provided by the cruise leader.