What's the best way of draining and cleaning my ballasts, to prevent any invasive algae, pests getting transported in there. I drain everything after a trip, is there anything else that I could add to that?

Good question. Assume you have a water ballasted trailer sailer and want to avoid transporting aquatic invasive species from one waterway to another. If this is the case there is good information here; I've not gone through these but assume one or both will give the information required - if not you can contact them to get the requirements?

www.awe.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/australian-ballast-water-management-requirements.pdf

www.epa.sa.gov.au/files/47792_vessels.pdf

Hi MMitchel
I just read through r13's post.
The information there is for large commercial vessels transiting international and sensitive Australian waters.
Vessels under 400 tons are basically exempt.

What are your concerns exactly?
Where is your port of departure and destination?
How large are you ballast tanks?

If You are in an area that is especially susceptible. you could dose your ballast tanks with bleach .
This will kill most nasties.
Bleach is a natural compound that will decontaminate your tanks but on release would be diluted to the point of no harm.
A little like taking a piss while swimming.
The bleach would be added at the beginning of your voyage to allow time for it to take effect.

gary

From a recent post by the OP:
"I've recently moved over to Sydney from the UK and have yet to sail my boat, but back in the UK, Quagga mussels and zebra mussels were an emerging issue.
I read they were hear in Australia and wondered if there was any guidance on them. "

I've not had the problem, since my f/g boat doesn't leak nor do I take it far (enough ))) ). Perhaps the local Waterways or maritime authority might have information about your port and the biological threats it faces, suggestions, etc. They would be the best source of info.
If you're always sailing in the same area, it shouldn't be a big issue. When I've taken my yacht 200 miles away and had it scraped, water blasted and a/fouled, the tailings of such always go into the gravel, and into their filtration system.

Select to expand quote

FabulousPhill said..
From a recent post by the OP:
"I've recently moved over to Sydney from the UK and have yet to sail my boat, but back in the UK, Quagga mussels and zebra mussels were an emerging issue.
I read they were hear in Australia and wondered if there was any guidance on them. "

I've not had the problem, since my f/g boat doesn't leak nor do I take it far (enough ))) ). Perhaps the local Waterways or maritime authority might have information about your port and the biological threats it faces, suggestions, etc. They would be the best source of info.
If you're always sailing in the same area, it shouldn't be a big issue. When I've taken my yacht 200 miles away and had it scraped, water blasted and a/fouled, the tailings of such always go into the gravel, and into their filtration system.

Hi FabPhil,
Where do you take Liquid Assets for antifouling? 200 miles is well outside the lakes. Kinora is overdue but I've heard bad things about the local places.
Cheers,
Kinora

Hi Peter,
Last year I had a haul-out, pressure wash and haul-in on the Th & Friday, i.e. 2 days. At GippsPorts that cost me $724, plus my a/foul, disposable PPE, brushes, hotel accommodation, etc, etc. but when you need specialised shipwrights they have the people.
I find Yaringa at the NW corner of Westernport to be much cheaper, but a hike to get there if you're not in the vicinity, i.e. it's 200 miles from Lakes Entrance (but a nice hike with an overnighter at Refuge). Today there is no price list, but recently it was $30 a day, plus $35 a metre return-travellift, plus a hundred for the pressure wash, i.e. for my 8.5m yacht, a lot cheaper. Teeing up a car at Yaringa was a hassle, but you could sleep aboard and shower in the marina if you wanted.
At Easter 2018, I was working night shift and cut out the transom to do the outboard well, so it was: $735 for 12 days in April, plus I thought there was more (to the end of March) but can't find the details.
I've read that some ports/clubs on the north coast of Tassy are far cheaper. Hastings marina had a price list online, but doesn't look like it now. There's a club at Rhyll which might be far cheaper, but a waiting list. My friend operates the tractor for it.

PS it's a 12m clearance at the Phillip Island bridge. I can get under, but you mightn't.

Select to expand quote

FabulousPhill said..
Hi Peter,
Last year I had a haul-out, pressure wash and haul-in on the Th & Friday, i.e. 2 days. At GippsPorts that cost me $724, plus my a/foul, disposable PPE, brushes, hotel accommodation, etc, etc. but when you need specialised shipwrights they have the people.
I find Yaringa at the NW corner of Westernport to be much cheaper, but a hike to get there if you're not in the vicinity, i.e. it's 200 miles from Lakes Entrance (but a nice hike with an overnighter at Refuge). Today there is no price list, but recently it was $30 a day, plus $35 a metre return-travellift, plus a hundred for the pressure wash, i.e. for my 8.5m yacht, a lot cheaper. Teeing up a car at Yaringa was a hassle, but you could sleep aboard and shower in the marina if you wanted.
At Easter 2018, I was working night shift and cut out the transom to do the outboard well, so it was: $735 for 12 days in April, plus I thought there was more (to the end of March) but can't find the details.
I've read that some ports/clubs on the north coast of Tassy are far cheaper. Hastings marina had a price list online, but doesn't look like it now. There's a club at Rhyll which might be far cheaper, but a waiting list. My friend operates the tractor for it.

PS it's a 12m clearance at the Phillip Island bridge. I can get under, but you mightn't.

Many thanks, Phil! Great information. We should go sailing again. When are you next in the lakes?

K.