Security personnel signing on/off
February 20, 2015, South Africa, Cape Town
Immigration authorities at Cape Town have issued a directive stating that security personnel being presented as crew can prove they is a bona fide crew member by producing a valid seaman’s book and valid passport, and is on the official crew list, will be allowed to sign on/off at Cape Town.
For information about operations in Cape Town contact GAC South Africa at shipping.capetown@gac.com
Safety Zone for hazard to navigation established
February 20, 2015, United States, Delaware River
To mitigate the risks associated with a buoy located in the Delaware River navigation channel, the Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay will enforce a temporary safety zone in the Delaware River.
The safety zone will encompass all waters of Delaware River, within a 100 foot radius of the current location of Baker Range “1B” buoy (LLNR 2485) in approximate position 39-27’06″N, 075-33’21″W.
The United States Coast Guard is also recommending that no vessel to vessel meeting situations take place between Liston Range lighted buoy “8L” (LLNR 2470) and the upper end of Baker Range. Mariners are advised to exercise caution when transiting the area as this off station buoy could present a hazard to navigation.
(For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Delaware Bay, Marine Safety Information Bulletin No.08-15 dated 19 February 2015
Tropical Cyclone Marcia (Update: 20 February 2015)
February 20, 2015, Australia, Gladstone
The ports of Gladstone, Bundaberg and Port Alma were closed to shipping movements at 1800 hours local time yesterday (19 February) due to Tropical Cyclone Marcia.
The situation at the ports will be assessed again tomorrow (21 February).
At 3:00pm EST, the severe Category 3 cyclone had sustained winds near the centre of 120 km/hour with wind gusts to 165 km/hour. It was located within 20 km of 23.7 deg. S/150.6 deg. E, about 35 km south-southeast of Rockhampton and 70km west-northwest of Gladstone, and was moving south at 22 km/hour.
Marcia is expected to turn to the south-southeast this evening, and weaken below cyclone strength on Saturday morning.
Destructive winds of up to 150 km/hr may develop about the coast and islands near the centre.
Abnormally high tides will be experienced with water levels expected to rise above the highest tide of the year on the high tide.
The ports and terminals at Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay are open from approximately 0900 local time today, with first shipping movements from 1400 hours local time.
The port and terminal at Abbot Point have not been affected.
For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com
GAC is a global provider of integrated shipping, logistics and marine services dedicated to helping customers achieve their strategic goals at the highest levels of quality, safety and compliance.
“Jo”
