Guest Transfers During Your Charter

Helping guests join or leave safely

Sometimes not everyone can join the charter at the same time.

Friends may want to come aboard for lunch, someone may need to leave early, or part of the group might join for the overnight section. With a little planning, guest transfers can often be arranged safely and simply.

The important thing is to plan the transfer before you rely on it.

Church Point Charter vessels must remain on authorised moorings unless another approved arrangement has been made. Do not tie up to public wharves, private jetties, marina berths or restaurant pontoons unless access has been expressly arranged and approved.

All transfers must be completed in daylight, in suitable conditions, and without overloading the tender.

The easiest option: water taxi

For many guest transfers, a water taxi is the easiest and safest option.

Water taxis are especially useful when:

• the vessel is already on a mooring

• shore access is limited

• the transfer would be too far for the tender

• conditions are windy or uncertain

• guests are carrying bags or supplies

• you want to avoid moving the charter vessel

Book ahead where possible, especially on weekends and holidays.

Useful contacts include:

Pink Water Taxi

Phone: 0428 238 190
Best for: Southern Pittwater
Notes: Useful for transfers around the Church Point / Scotland Island / southern Pittwater area.

Palm Beach Water Taxi

Phone: 0415 408 831
Best for: Palm Beach, Coasters Retreat, The Basin and Cowan Creek
Notes: Useful for northern Pittwater and Cowan Creek transfers.

Hawkesbury Water Taxi

Phone: 0422 300 100
Website:Hawkesbury Water Taxi
Best for: Hawkesbury River and surrounds
Notes: Useful for transfers further into the Hawkesbury. Hawkesbury Water Taxi describes itself as a water transport service for destinations including Dangar Island and the wider Hawkesbury River.

Using the tender

The tender can be useful for short transfers between the vessel and shore, especially when the main boat is safely secured to an authorised mooring nearby.

Tender transfers are best when:

• the distance is short

• the water is calm

• visibility is good

• everyone can board safely

• the tender is not overloaded

• the transfer can be completed in daylight

If you have hired an outboard, CPC will explain how to use it during your briefing.

Tender transfers should never feel rushed. If conditions are windy, choppy, dark or uncertain, use a water taxi or change the plan.

Ferry to The Basin

The Basin can be a useful meeting point for guests joining from the Palm Beach side.

Friends or family may be able to catch the ferry from Palm Beach to The Basin, then transfer to the charter vessel by tender if the boat is nearby on an authorised mooring and conditions are calm.

Palm Beach Ferries operates services to The Basin, Coasters Retreat, Currawong and Mackerel Beach, and publishes current timetables and service notices online.

Useful links:
Palm Beach Ferries Timetables
The Basin destination information

Before relying on this option, check:

• current ferry timetable

• service notices

• daylight timing

• where the vessel will be moored

• tender distance

• weather and wind

• guest mobility

• how much luggage or supplies guests are carrying

This option is best for light bags, calm weather and simple transfers.

Cottage Point guest transfers

Cottage Point can be a useful access point for charters in Cowan Creek.

Guests may be able to drive to Cottage Point and transfer by tender if the vessel is legally moored nearby and conditions are suitable. Kuring-gai Motor Yacht Club may also be useful for casual mooring or visitor-access enquiries.

Kuring-gai Motor Yacht Club is located at Cottage Point and states that visitors requiring a mooring should contact the waterfront for availability. Its website also displays “Casual Moorings — Call 02 9456 3538.”

Kuring-gai Motor Yacht Club
Phone: 02 9456 3538
Website:Kuring-gai Motor Yacht Club
Moorings:KMYC Moorings

Do not assume access is available without checking first. Cottage Point is small, and wharves, jetties and marina facilities may have restrictions.

If you are planning a Cottage Point guest transfer, confirm:

• where the vessel will be secured

• whether the transfer distance is short enough

• whether the tender can be used safely

• parking and timing for guests

• whether a water taxi would be easier

Bobbin Head guest transfers

Bobbin Head may also be useful for guest transfers in the Cowan Creek area.

Empire Marina Bobbin Head and Waterside Bistro may offer limited access by prior arrangement, especially for dining guests, but this must be confirmed ahead of time.

Waterside Bistro says casual berths are limited but sometimes available for breakfast or lunch, and Empire Marina Bobbin Head lists marina berths, moorings and on-site dining options at the marina.

Empire Marina Bobbin Head
Phone: 02 9457 9011
Website:Empire Marina Bobbin Head

Waterside Bistro
Website:Waterside Bistro

Do not assume you can berth, tie up or use marina facilities without approval.

For Bobbin Head transfers, plan carefully around:

• marina or access permission

• daylight

• tender distance

• guest mobility

• parking

• weather

• mobile reception

If access is not confirmed, use a water taxi or choose another plan.

CPC workboat assistance near Newport

On request, CPC may be able to assist with guest transfers near our Newport base using our workboat.

This may be useful for short local transfers around Princes Street Marina and nearby areas, but it is subject to:

• staff availability

• weather

• timing

• operational suitability

• vessel location

• guest numbers

• charges

Please ask in advance. Workboat assistance should not be assumed as part of the standard charter.

Transfers and daylight

All guest transfers should be completed in daylight.

Even familiar areas become harder to judge in low light, and tender movements after dark create unnecessary risk. Plan guest arrivals and departures with plenty of margin, especially in winter when daylight is shorter.

If someone is running late, it is usually better to change the plan than rush a transfer.

When not to transfer guests

Do not attempt a guest transfer if:

• it is dark or close to dark

• conditions are windy or choppy

• the tender would be overloaded

• guests are unsure on their feet

• the distance is too far

• the landing point is unsafe

• access has not been approved

• the skipper is not comfortable with the plan

There is no need to force it. Use a water taxi, wait for better conditions or choose a simpler meeting point.

Simple guest transfer checklist

Before arranging a guest transfer, ask:

• Where will the vessel be secured?

• Is it an authorised mooring or approved access point?

• How will guests get from shore to vessel?

• Is the transfer short and safe?

• Is there enough daylight?

• Are conditions calm enough?

• Will the tender be overloaded?

• Are guests bringing luggage, food, ice or drinks?

• Would a water taxi be safer or easier?

• Has CPC been asked if you are unsure?

A guest transfer should feel calm and straightforward. If it feels complicated, simplify it.

Plan it early and keep it easy

Guest transfers and resupply stops can work really well when they are planned early.

The best approach is usually the simplest one: keep the main vessel on an authorised mooring, use a water taxi or short tender transfer where suitable, and allow plenty of daylight.

A little planning keeps the charter relaxed — which is exactly how a day on the water should feel.