Hot Port News from GAC

DATE: July 20, 2013
COUNTRY: Worldwide
World Holidays: 21 July-3 August 2013

Public holidays around the world in the coming two weeks include the
following:
Mon 22 Jul – Esala Full Moon Poya Day (Sri Lanka)
Mon 22 Jul – Asarnha Bucha Day (Thailand)
Thu 1 Aug – Switzerland National Day

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: July 20, 2013
COUNTRY: United Kingdom
PORT: Immingham
Jetty closure for electrical checks

Immingham West Jetty will be closed to shipping for critical electrical
checks from 0700 to 2200 hours on 31 July 2013.

For information about operations in the UK contact GAC UK at uk@gac.com

DATE: July 20, 2013
COUNTRY: United States
PORT: New York, NewYork
Drilling, blasting & dredging operations

As per the U.S. COAST GUARD, Sector New York, Advisory Notice (CGAN
2013-009) dated 18 July 2013, drilling and blasting works have begun in the
Elizabethport Reach Work Area 16, as part of the continuing operations by
Great Lakes Dredge and Dock (GLDD) in the vicinity of Kill Van Kull Channel
Lighted Buoy 10 (LLNR 37300). Dredging operations inside the buoy line
within the Elizabethport Reach contract area continue.

While dredgers will move on demand in order to promote safe navigation, or
when directed to by Vessel Traffic Service New York (VTSNY), mariners are
reminded that excessive movement requests may result in the dredge
operation taking longer than expected.

As part of the blasting works, two blasts are anticipated daily between
approximately 0900 and 1800. The following additional restrictions will be
enforced during blasting operations:
a. No vessel shall enter or transit any work area where drilling and
blasting equipment is located without permission from VTSNY.
b. No vessels may be underway within 1, 500 feet of the blasting area during
the blast. Additionally, no vessel may be within 1, 500 feet of the blasting
area when they are advised by a drilling barge or VTSNY that a misfire or
hang fire has occurred.
c. GLDD will make security broadcasts 2 hours, 1 hour, and 15 minutes prior
to the blast.
d. Five minutes prior to the blast: VTSNY verifies traffic is clear and
authorizes GLDD to proceed with the five minute countdown. GLDD makes a
security broadcast. GLDD makes a one-minute series of long audible signals.
e. One minute prior to the blast: VTSNY and GLDD make security broadcasts.
GLDD makes a series of short audible signals.
f. Ten seconds prior to the blast: VTSNY and GLDD counts down to the blast
on CH 13.
g. GLDD announces “All Clear from (Kill Van Kull or Arthur Kill) Blasting”
on Channel 13. GLDD makes a prolonged audible signal following the
inspection of the blast area.

The dredges and drillboat APACHE will be equipped with AIS and programmed
to display the correct dredge and scow size and location to AIS receivers.
Dredges & support equipment are required to report their movements and
positions to VTSNY on Channel 14 every two hours or anytime their position
changes. VTSNY will provide these updates to the maritime community with
their Traffic Reports.

The dredges will monitor VHF-FM Channels 13 & 14. Mariners are reminded to
contact the dredges on Channel 13 to make any necessary passing
arrangements.

Each vessel transiting in the vicinity of a work area where dredges are
located must do so at reduced speed to maintain maneuverability while
minimizing the effects of wake and surge.

The Coast Guard has created a Regulated Navigation Area and instituted VTS
Measures that are intended to enhance navigation and vessel safety for
vessels transiting Elizabethport, Gulfport, and North of Shooters Island
Reaches. Further modifications may be made to the VTS Measures based upon
conditions in the project area.

a. No Meeting/No Overtaking:
A no meeting/no overtaking zone is in effect from the west end of Shooters
Island to the Arthur Kill Channel Lighted Buoy 43 (LLNR 36845) in (pa)
40-37-23.545N, 074-12-15.584W during drilling and blasting operations in
the Arthur Kill. Within this zone, vessels greater than 650 feet in length
shall not meet, overtake or be overtaken by any vessel required to
participate in the VTSNY Vessel Movement Reporting System (VMRS User). ALL
VMRS USERS are prohibited from meeting or overtaking in the section of the
channel from Port Ivory to the Goethals Bridge. Exemptions to the no
meeting/no overtaking requirement are allowed only with agreement between
both vessels and the concurrence of VTSNY. Requests for exemptions must be
made to the VTS prior to entering the zone.

b. Slack Water Transits and Assist Tugs:
i. All ships that are larger than 700 feet must have three assist tugs
while transiting the project area.
ii. All vessels that are larger than 700 feet in length may only transit
the AK-3 project area within 60 minutes of slack water as estimated by
current predictions at The New York Narrows Current Station (NOAA Station
ID n03020). Tankers are not restricted to slack water transits through the
project area.
iii. Ships departing Howland Hook and backing out through the drilling and
blasting area shall require three assist tugs.
iv. Tugs with barges larger than 700 feet in length may only transit the
AK-3 project area within 60 minutes of slack water as estimated by current
predictions at The New York Narrows Current Station (NOAA Station ID
n03020) and are required to have two assist tugs.
v. Tugs with barges between 450 feet and 700 feet in length require an
assist tug when transiting through the AK-3 project area UNLESS they are
transiting within 60 minutes of slack water as estimated by current
predictions at The New York Narrows Current Station (NOAA Station ID
n03020).

c. Weather Restrictions:
Car carriers, container ships, container barges, tankers in ballast and
vessels towing astern may not transit the AK-3 project area whenever
sustained wind speeds of 15 knots or greater exist, as measured from
Robbins Reef Light (LLNR 34975).

d. Visibility Restrictions:
For vessels or tug with tows 700 feet or greater, no transits are permitted
if visibility is less than 1 mile. The AK-3 project area will be closed to
all vessels except vessels less than 300 gross tons when visibility is less
than half a mile.

e. Day Time Transits:
Ships greater than 700 feet in length are only authorized to transit the
area during daylight hours.

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