Biosecurity

All non-commercial vessels arriving from overseas must be inspected for biohazards.

This includes yachts and private super yachts.

Inspections reduce the risk of harmful pests and diseases entering and establishing in Australia. They pose a risk to the Australian environment and agricultural industries.

You must comply with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment biosecurity rules and regulations if you are:

• visiting or returning to Australia
• importing a yacht.

Inspections are the responsibility of the master and or operator.

To find out more about non-commerical vessels biosecurity rules and regulations, go to the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website.

Read about hull pest inspections for visiting boats.

First point of entry

If you are travelling to Darwin on a yacht you must submit an application to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

Get the form and read more about what happens when you arrive in Australia on the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website.

You must do this 10 days before you arrive.

Biosecurity officers and vessel operators can use the Cullen Bay Ferry Pontoon for clearing of vessels.

For more information

You can call the Acting Regional Harbourmaster on 0428 181 480.

Boats that have travelled through international waters and from some interstate locations may need to be inspected and treated for marine pests before they can enter a marina in Darwin.

International boats

You must contact the Aquatic Biosecurity Unit well before you arrive to find out if your boat needs an inspection and treatment and to arrange a time.

You must not stop along the coastline in the Northern Territory and clean your hull. It could contain marine pests.

Interstate boats

You must contact the Aquatic Biosecurity Unit before you arrive to find out if your boat needs an inspection and treatment and to arrange a time.

If you have been told by Aquatic Biosecurity that your boat does not require an inspection, you will have to provide a statutory declaration to the marina office or lockmaster saying you are clear before they will let you in.

The lockmaster or marina office will email the statutory declaration form to you, or give you the form to fill in when you arrive at the lock.

You must fill it in and sign it before you enter the marina. It must also have the name of the Aquatic Biosecurity officer you spoke to.

About the inspection and treatment

The inspection and treatment is currently a service provided by the Northern Territory Government.

Questions you will be asked

Aquatic Biosecurity staff will ask you all of the following.

• Where your boat has travelled?
• The age of your anti-fouling paint?
• When your boat was last cleaned?
• When and for how long your boat was last on the hardstand in Australia?
• Has your vessel had internal seawater systems treated by a professional provider since arrival in Australia or New Zealand? You will need to provide details and proof, such as a receipt.

If you need an inspection and treatment

The boat owner, skipper or a crew member must be on board during the inspection and treatment process.

If the Aquatic Biosecurity Unit decides your boat needs an inspection and treatment for marine pests it will:

• use trained divers to inspect your hull
• disinfect all seawater pipes such as inlets, outlets and pumps.

The Aquatic Biosecurity staff will provide you the contractor's contact details to arrange a time for inspection and/or treatment.

Where it will be done

Inspections are usually done alongside the Cullen Bay pontoon outside the lock gates.

In some cases it can be done at anchor at the Fannie Bay public anchorage.

Short term trips, e.g Darwin to Ambon, returning vessels may need an internal seawater system treatment after return.

When it can be done

Inspections can be done Monday, Wednesday or Friday 8am to 4pm - except public holidays.

Scheduling can be affected by weather conditions and tides.

How long it will take

The inspection and treatment application will take about an hour.

If your boat systems are treated with disinfectant, the treatment has to stay in the pipes for 10 hours.

You must not use those systems while they are being treated.

The boat has to stay at the pontoon or at the anchorage for the 10 hours.

After inspection and treatment

At the end of the inspection and treatment, the divers will give you a clearance certificate that will allow you into a Darwin marina.