Originally Posted by
coaldemon
Yachts are tracked inbound. What do you think the various surveillance and Satellite assets do all day. Friend of mine inbound from Vanuatu had to have a Txpdr onboard and give notice that they were intending to dock in Bundaberg 8 days out. Would be very surprised if this yacht was not tracked all the way.
They are not going to use valuable satellite time to keep track of all commercial and pleasure craft in Australian waters. The same for surveillance radar. No country has the ability to monitor ALL of its airspace along the coast let alone surface vessels where range would be severely limited. The Australian requirement is only for a maximum of 96 hours notice of entering waters. All you have to do is send an email to a specified address with your approximate arrival date and arrival port. You do not need to wait for approval or clearance. Proof you sent the email is good enough. Once in port you may not leave the boat until border security has cleared you though.