Hot Port News from GAC

Your daily news service from ports around the world.

In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Worldwide – World Holidays: 23 June-6 July 2013
* Singapore, Pasir Panjang – Underwater drilling & blasting at Pasir Panjang Terminal, phase 3 & 4

DATE: June 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Worldwide
World Holidays: 23 June-6 July 2013

Public holidays around the world in the coming two weeks include the
following:
Sun 23 Jun – Poson Full Moon Poya Day (Sri Lanka)
Mon 24 Jun – Greece Holy Spirit Monday
Mon 1 Jul – Canada Day
Mon 1 Jul – Hong Kong Special Administration Region (SAR) Day
Mon 1 Jul – Republic Day (Ghana)
Thu 4 Jul – USA Independence Day
Fri 5 Jul – Independence Day Algeria
Sat 6 Jul – Day of Capital (Kazakhstan)

For information about operations around the world contact the respective
GAC office. Details may be found in the ‘Contacts’ section of www.gac.com

DATE: June 22, 2013
COUNTRY: Singapore
PORT: Pasir Panjang
Underwater drilling & blasting at Pasir Panjang Terminal, phase 3 & 4

The working area has been revised and the working period extended for
underwater drilling and blasting works at Pasir Panjang Terminal, phase 3 &
4. The work will now be conducted from 24 June to 3 July.

According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Port Marine
Notice No.84 of 2013 dated 21 June 2013, the works will be carried out
within the working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (WGS 84
Datum):

Blasting Area Sector J 2nd Blasting
1. 1 deg. 16.346’N / 103 deg. 46.579’E
2. 1 deg. 16.242’N / 103 deg. 46.754’E
3. 1 deg. 16.055’N / 103 deg. 46.643’E
4. 1 deg. 16.159’N / 103 deg. 46.469’E

Blasting Area Sector PPT1
1. 1 deg. 16.465’N / 103 deg. 46.942’E
2. 1 deg. 16.413’N / 103 deg. 47.028’E
3. 1 deg. 16.361’N / 103 deg. 46.996’E
4. 1 deg. 16.412’N / 103 deg. 46.911’E

Blast Working Area Sector PPT2
5. 1 deg. 16.544’N / 103 deg. 46.804’E
6. 1 deg. 16.536’N / 103 deg. 46.818’E
7. 1 deg. 16.529’N / 103 deg. 46.814’E
8. 1 deg. 16.537’N / 103 deg. 46.800’E

Working Hours:
Drilling will be carried out 24 hours daily, including Sundays.

Blasting Schedule
Blasting will not be carried out on Sundays. The schedule for blasting will
be carried out as follows:
1. 0800hrs – 0900hrs
2. 1200hrs – 1400hrs
3. 1630hrs – 1830hrs

These craft will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and
night signals.

Prior to commencement of Sector J 2nd blasting area drilling and blasting
works, a LOA restriction of 230m to P24-P26 (WM 317 and above) shall be
imposed.

Underwater drilling and blasting works will be carried out by work barge,
Orion 84, held in position by 4-point anchor winch/wire spread. Orion 84
will have a circular safety working zone in accordance to the Explosive
Safety Regulations centred at the barge.

During the operation, Orion 84 shall be attended to by anchor/tug boats.

Storage of explosives will be on board a licensed Explosive Lighter Barge
guarded by Armed Protection Officers (APOs) at all times.
Safety boats will be in attendance at all times to warn and re-direct craft
in the vicinity to keep clear of the on-going underwater drilling and
blasting work area.

The following Blast Warning Procedure will be adopted for each underwater
blasting operation:
a) All personnel will be evacuated from the danger zone prior to blasting
operations;
b) APOs in Safety Boats will cordon off the blasting area 30mins prior to
commencement of blasting operations;
c) Two (2) prolonged horn blasts will be sounded 15mins prior to
commencement of blasting operations;
d) Red Flag will be hoisted to warn mariners 5mins prior to commencement of
blasting operations;
e) Three (3) short horn blasts will be sounded 5mins prior to commencement
of blasting operations;
f) Four (4) short horn blasts will be sounded immediately prior to blasting
operations – blast is initiated on fourth (4th) horn blast;
g) One (1) prolonged horn blasts will be sounded after the completion of
blasting operations;
and
h) Red Flag will be lowered to signal the completion of blasting
operations.

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) comply with the instructions from Pasir Panjang Control and the APO
craft at the scene;
(e) cease all underwater diving activities within a radius of 144 metres
from the perimeter of the working area during the periods of blasting;
(f) maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 25;
and
(g) communicate with Pasir Panjang Control on VHF Channel 25 for
assistance, if required.

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