Your daily news service from ports around the world.
In this HOT PORT NEWS, read about:
* Russia, Novorossiysk – Security level reduced
* United States, Savannah, Georgia – Dynamic Management Area to protect whales
* Hong Kong, all ports – Submarine telecomm cable repair works
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – 2014 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display
* Australia, Gladstone – Potential tropical cyclone
DATE: January 24, 2014
COUNTRY: Russia
PORT: Novorossiysk
Security level reduced
In accordance with an official letter from the Russian Ministry of
Transport dated 23 January, the security level at Novorossiysk, Tuapse,
Taman and other Russian Black Sea ports has been reduced from 2 to 1.
For information about operations in Russia contact GAC Russia at
russia@gac.com
DATE: January 24, 2014
COUNTRY: United States
PORT: Savannah, Georgia
Dynamic Management Area to protect whales
The NOAA Fisheries Service has established a Dynamic Management Area near
Savannah, GA to protect an aggregation of three whales sighted on January
23rd.
Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit at a maximum
speed of ten knots if re-routing is not possible.
This voluntary zone will remain active through February 7, 2014.
The previous Dynamic Management Area established off Palm Coast, FL is no
longer active.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
DATE: January 24, 2014
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: all ports
Submarine telecomm cable repair works
For approximately two months, telecommunication cable re-laying operations
will be carried out in Aberdeen South Typhoon Shelter within the area
bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum)
from (A) to (F) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22 deg. 14.568’N / 114 deg. 09.820’E
(B) 22 deg. 14.577’N / 114 deg. 09.749’E
(C) 22 deg. 14.637’N / 114 deg. 09.706’E
(D) 22 deg. 14.642’N / 114 deg. 09.713’E
(E) 22 deg. 14.584’N / 114 deg. 09.754’E
(F) 22 deg. 14.576’N / 114 deg. 09.816’E
The works will be carried out by one work boat. Two small boats will stay
in the vicinity to guard the vessel and provide assistance.
A working area of approximately 20 metres around the work boat will be
established.
The hours of work will be from 0800 to 1800 hours. No works will be carried
out on Sundays and public holidays. Outside the hours of work, the
operation will be suspended and the vessels will leave the works area.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in
international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep a
wide berth.
(For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at
shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of Hong SAR Marine Department Notice No.12 of 2014 dated
23 January 2014
DATE: January 24, 2014
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
2014 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display
A Fireworks Display will take place in the Central Harbour, in an area off
Wan Chai, at 2000 hours on Saturday, 1 February 2014 (“the event day”).
Fireworks will be displayed from four barges anchored in a straight line at
the following positions (WGS 84 Datum):
(A) 22 deg. 17.279’N / 114 deg. 10.061’E
(B) 22 deg. 17.279’N / 114 deg. 10.198’E
(C) 22 deg. 17.279’N / 114 deg. 10.335’E
(D) 22 deg. 17.279’N / 114 deg. 10.472’E
A Closed Area will be established around the barges between 1400 hours and
about 2300 hours on the event day with the following details:
(i) The area is formed by four straight lines joining the following
positions (WGS 84 Datum):
(1) 22 deg. 17.366’N / 114 deg. 09.960’E
(2) 22 deg. 17.366’N / 114 deg. 10.574’E
(3) 22 deg. 17.192’N / 114 deg. 10.574’E
(4) 22 deg. 17.192’N / 114 deg. 09.960’E
(ii) The Closed Area will be closed to all marine traffic, except craft
directly involved in the fireworks display, Government launches and vessels
with special permission from the Director of Marine (to be collectively
called excepted vessels).
A Restricted Area will be established in the Central Harbour from 1900
hours to about 2115 hours on the event day with the following details:
(i) The Eastern Cordon Line (ECL) of the Restricted Area is a straight line
joining the south extremity of MTR Hung Hom Freight Terminal Pier and the
breakwater at Kellett Island, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. The Western
Cordon Line (WCL) of the Restricted Area is a straight line joining the
southwest extremity of the Ocean Terminal and the Central Government Pier.
(ii) No vessels, other than the excepted vessels, will be allowed to enter
or remain within the Restricted Area.
To minimize head-on encounters of vessels after the fireworks display, the
Restricted Area will be lifted progressively by lifting the WCL at about
2100 hours. The ECL will be lifted later depending on the traffic condition
in the Central Harbour. It is anticipated that the Restricted Area will be
completely lifted at about 2115 hours on the event day. To combat vessels
proceeding at excessive speed in the Central Harbour, the Marine Police and
Marine Department will deploy laser gun and interception teams on the event
day.
Vessels intending to navigate in the Central Harbour after the fireworks
display should pay special attention to the establishment of three Buffer
Zones at Kowloon Public Pier, Kwun Tong Public Pier, Central Piers 9 and 10
and the associated marine traffic control measures.
In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks display may be postponed
to the fallback date of Sunday, 2 February 2014, at 2000 hours, with the
same control measures as aforementioned.
(For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at
shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.13 of 2014
DATE: January 24, 2014
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Gladstone
Potential tropical cyclone
The Harbour Master’s Office at Gladstone has issued a warning about a
potential tropical cyclone on the East Coast. If the cyclone forms, it
could affect the ports of Townsville, Abbot Point, Mackay, Hay Point,
Gladstone and Bundaberg.
A low pressure system which may develop into a cyclone within the next
week. No action is required at this stage however all parties are requested
to monitor developments in the coming week.
For information about operations at Australian ports contact GAC Australia
at shipping.australia@gac.com
Source: East Coast inc. Townsville, Abbot Point, Mackay, Hay Point,
Gladstone & Bundaberg
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“Jo”
