Darwin

Darwin is on both the ABF and DAFF lists. Arrival notices from overseas: 96 hours to ABF, DAFF and NT Fisheries; 72 hours to the Emergency Operations Centre and NT Health; 24 hours to Darwin Harbour Control and Coast Radio Darwin.

Plan on 50 m. The NT Government’s pilotage zones page (updated January 2026) says vessels of 50 m or greater in the compulsory pilotage area south of 12°25’S must carry a licensed pilot or be under the command of a master holding a Pilotage Exemption Certificate, and Darwin Port’s pilotage page gives the same figure. On 1 October 2025 the NT Government announced that the exemption would rise to 55 m from 2 January 2026, citing a pilot shortage, and industry press reported the Port objecting on safety grounds; no published NT instrument yet shows 55 m in force, the NT Government’s general pilotage exemption page still says 35 m, and the NT Pilotage Standard v4.0 still says 35 m. Do not rely on 55 m. Confirm the operative threshold with the NT Pilotage Authority before arrival. Pilotage Exemption Certificates are issued by the NT Pilotage Authority. Vessels over 35 m using East Arm or Fort Hill Wharf must show hull and machinery and P&I insurance.

NT Fisheries inspects at anchorage; divers may inspect the hull and disinfect internal seawater systems (disinfectant held 10 hours, vessel stays put), and a clearance certificate is needed before any Darwin marina will take the vessel. Hull cleaning along the NT coast is banned.

The marina locks take no more than about 25 m (Cullen Bay 25 m LOA, 8.5 m beam), so larger yachts use the Frances Bay Mooring Basin when space allows or Fort Hill Wharf (two 150 m berths). Refit: Pearl Marine Engineering synchrolift 2,550 t; NT Marine Facility 150 t travel lift.

Cobourg Peninsula (Garig Gunak Barlu National Park) needs a permit paid at least 6 weeks ahead; large vessels report to Black Point rangers on VHF 16. A Northern Land Council permit is needed to enter Aboriginal land or waters, for every person aboard.