Transit Only Zone in Port Phillip Bay
A permanent Transit Only Zone in the north of Port Phillip Bay came into effect in September 2006.
No anchoring or drifting of boats is allowed within the Transit Only Zone.The zone covers the Port Melbourne Channel south of Breakwater Pier, the waters approximately 500 metres to the west and 200 metres to the east of Port Melbourne Channel, and includes the Eastern By-Pass Channel and the western shallow draught fairway and extends approximately three miles to the south of Fawkner Beacon.
The Transit Only Zone is marked with yellow buoys.
Read the Victorian Notice to Mariners No. 128/06 giving notification of the Transit Only Zone.
Depends if SUP is considered drifting?? As a SUP cannot manouvre against tide and wind it may be considered adrift in those conditions?
You clearly have to cross the transit only zone and cannot out manouvre an on coming ship.
). I know I've been in a similar situation, albeit not in the shipping lane, but the winds were about 30 knots, a storm was brewing, it was raining cats and dogs, and the group got a little separated. This was just the last 1km stretch from Green Point to Sandringham where you're effectively right on shore, but still, the group took off, leaving one behind and out of sight. It happens and I'll stick my hand up and say I'm as guilty of that as anyone. 
). I would trust them implicitly. Nevertheless, if there's anything we can do in the future to improve safety, including greater focus on essential and best quality equipment, or pairing up or regrouping more often, as DJ has indicated, then this adventure has probably served to prevent a tragedy in the future.
