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In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
- Worldwide – Saba Bank designated Particularly Sensitive Sea Area
- India, Cochin – Pilot ladders and rigging
- Singapore, Singapore – Dredging off Shell Bukom SBM
DATE: October 10, 2012 COUNTRY: Worldwide Saba Bank designated Particularly Sensitive Sea Area
The Saba Bank, in the north-eastern Caribbean area of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was formally designated as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), when it met for its 64th session from 1 to 5 October 2012, at IMO Headquarters in London….
….Associated Protective Measures were approved by the Sub Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV), at its meeting in July 2012, namely, the establishment of a new mandatory ‘no anchoring’ area for all ships and a new ‘area to be avoided’ (for ships of 300 gross tonnage or over) in the proposed PSSA.
The Saba Bank is the thirteenth PSSA to be designated by IMO.
(For information about operations in the Americas contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Centre at hub.us@gac.com)
Source: Extract from International Maritime Organisation Briefing: 42 dated 9 October 2012
DATE: October 10, 2012 COUNTRY: India PORT: Cochin Pilot ladders and rigging
Concerned by the increased instances of failure of the Pilot Ladder and its rigging on ships calling Cochin Port in recent times, Masters of all ships are reminded of the need to ensure that Pilot boarding arrangements in compliance with SOLAS Chapter V/23 and I.M.O. resolution A.1045 (27) are provided for embarking and disembarking Pilots.
Further, the rigging of the Pilot Ladder and other appliances, as well as the embarkation and disembarkation of the Pilot shall be supervised by a responsible officer on board the ship.
Improper rigging or any failure of the Pilot Ladder is unacceptable and would result in cancellation of the movement and other penal provisions as per rules.
(For information about operations in India contact GAC India at india@gac.com)
Source: Cochin Port Trust Circular dated 10 October 2012
DATE: October 10, 2012 COUNTRY: Singapore PORT: Singapore Dredging off Shell Bukom SBM
Dredging works will be carried out off Shell Bukom SBM from 12 to 19 October 2012.
According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine Notice No.141 of 2012, the works will be conducted 24 hours daily – including Sundays & Public Holidays – within the working Areas 1 & Area 2 bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
Area 1 1) 1° 12.58’N / 103° 47.06’E 2) 1° 12.65’N / 103° 47.15’E 3) 1° 12.50’N / 103° 47.27’E 4) 1° 12.43’N / 103° 47.18’E
Area 2 5) 1° 11.90’N / 103° 47.35’E 6) 1° 11.90’N / 103° 47.45’E 7) 1° 11.58’N / 103° 47.50’E 8) 1° 11.58’N / 103° 47.40’E
Dredging works will be carried out by the Trailer Suction Hopper Dredger “Queen of Netherland” while underway. The dredger will have a circular safety working zone of 300-metre radius centred at the dredger. Dredged materials will be transported to the designated dumping ground by the same trailer suction hopper barge.
A safety boat will be deployed in the vicinity to warn other craft to clear of the working area.
Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.
When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to: (a) keep well clear and not to enter the working area; (b) maintain a proper lookout; (c) proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution; (d) maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 68 (West Control); and (e) Communicate with West Control on VHF Channel 68 for assistance, if required.
For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com
