HOT Port news from GAC

Your daily news service from ports around the world.

In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:

• United States, Mississippi River, Louisiana – Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Complex Regulated Navigation Area
• United States, Mississippi River, Louisiana – Safety Zone established
• Singapore, Singapore – Autonomous system experiments off northern coast of Singapore

DATE: July 03, 2012 COUNTRY: United States PORT: Mississippi River, Louisiana Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Complex Regulated Navigation Area

The Army Corps of Engineers has issued Navigation Bulletin No. 12-57 stating the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West Closure Complex (WCC) will be closed in advance of a 4 foot storm surge reaching the WCC site. The gates will be closed in most cases when the water surface elevation at the structure is between elevation + 2 feet and +3.8 feet.

Mariners are advised that the WCC is the southern border of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway West of Harvey Locks, as outlined in 33 CFR 165.838, and it is essential to be fully aware of the requirements of this RNA.  The RNA will be enforced by the Captain of the Port 24 hours in advance of closing the WCC for a tropical event.  All floating vessels will be prohibited from entering or remaining in the RNA unless specifically authorized by the COTP.

The COTP will announce enforcement periods through Marine Safety Information Bulletins and Safety Broadcasts Notice to Mariners.

(For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com)

Source: U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Bulletin Volume XII, Issue 55

DATE: July 03, 2012 – COUNTRY: United States – PORT: Mississippi River, Louisiana Safety Zone established

The US Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River beginning at MM 230.0 and ending at MM 237.0, in the vicinity of Baton Rouge, LA.

The Safety Zone is needed to protect persons and vessel from the potential safety hazards associated with a maritime salvage operation.

Entry into this zone is prohibited unless vessels have met the specified instruction or are specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port New Orleans or designated representative.

This rule is effective July 2, 2012 to October 1, 2012.

For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com

DATE: July 03, 2012 – COUNTRY: Singapore – PORT: Singapore Autonomous system experiments off northern coast of Singapore

From 12 July to 14 August 2012, autonomous system experiments will be carried out off the northern coast of Singapore.

According to the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.89 of 2012, the works will be conducted from 0800 hours to 1800 hours daily – including Saturdays & Sundays – within the working areas bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):

Working Area “1”

• 1) 01° 24.003’N / 103° 56.269’E
• 2) 01° 23.175’N / 103° 57.300’E
• 3) 01° 23.087’N / 103° 57.125’E
• 4) 01° 23.767’N / 103° 56.181’E

Working Area “2”

• 5) 01° 25.131’N / 103° 55.186’E
• 6) 01° 24.302’N / 103° 56.041’E
• 7) 01° 24.203’N / 103° 55.946’E
• 8) 01° 25.024’N / 103° 55.053’E

Working Area “3”

• 9 )  01° 26.045’N / 103° 52.906’E
• 10) 01° 25.439’N / 103° 53.958’E 11) 01° 25.266’N / 103° 53.859’E 12) 01° 25.889’N / 103° 52.829’E

Working Area “4”

• 13) 01° 27.224’N / 103° 51.774’E
• 14) 01° 26.103’N / 103° 51.537’E
• 15) 01° 25.936’N / 103° 52.322’E
• 16) 01° 27.075’N / 103° 51.581’E

Working Area “5”

• 1) 01° 28.260’N / 103° 47.983’E
•  2) 01° 28.140’N / 103° 48.058’E
• 3) 01° 28.027’N / 103° 47.879’E
• 4) 01° 28.147’N / 103° 47.804’E

The experiments and collection of data will be carried out by deploying autonomous underwater vehicles in the working areas. During the experiments, the autonomous underwater vehicles will be closely followed by the safety boats.

Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.

When in the vicinity of the working areas, mariners are reminded to: (a) Keep well clear and not to enter the working areas; (b) Maintain a proper lookout; (c) Proceed at a safe speed & navigate with caution; (d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF channel 21 (Sembawang Control); and (e) Communicate with Sembawang Control on VHF 21 for assistance, if required.

For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com