New Voluntary Right Whale Speed Restriction Zone
April 07, 2015, United States, Rhode Island
A voluntary vessel speed restriction zone (Dynamic Management Area – DMA) has been established in Rhode Island Sound to protect an aggregation of 4 right whales sighted in this area on April 1, 2015.
This DMA is in effect immediately through April 16, 2015. Mariners are requested to route around this area or transit through it at 10 knots or less.
VOLUNTARY DYNAMIC MANAGEMENT AREAS (DMAs)
Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less inside the following areas where persistent aggregations of right whales have been sighted.
Please visit www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike for more information.
Rhode Island Sound DMA – in effect through April 16, 2015
41 37N
40 56N
071 39W
070 44W
ACTIVE SEASONAL MANAGEMENT AREAS (SMAs)
Mandatory speed restrictions of 10 knots or less (50 CFR 224.105) are in effect in the following areas:
– Cape Cod Bay U.S. SMA — in effect through May 15, 2015
– Mid-Atlantic U.S. SMAs — in effect through April 30, 2015
– Great South Channel U.S. SMAs – in effect July 31, 2015
– Southeast U.S. SMA — in effect through April 15, 2015
For recent right whale sightings, visit: www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/surveys/
Download the Whale Alert app for iPad and iPhone: stellwagen.noaa.gov/protect/whalealert.html
Details and graphics of all Ship Strike Management Zones currently in effect: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike
Acoustic detections in Cape Cod Bay and the Boston TSS: www.listenforwhales.org
Approaching a right whale closer than 500 yards is a violation of federal and state law. Please report all right whale sightings to: 866-755-NOAA (6622)
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Platforms back in operation after fire
April 07, 2015, Mexico, Cayo Arcas Terminal
Platforms Abkantun D and Abkantun Perforation at Cayo Arcas have restarted operations, following the fire last week. It is expected production will return to 80% of the level prior to the accident by next week.
Loading at the Caryo Arcas Terminal had been suspended following a fire on at the Abkatun Permanente production platform in Mexico’s Gulf of Campeche on 1 April. The fire sparked the evacuation of about 300 workers, however at least four people were reported to have died and up to 45 were injured.
With the exception of the Abkantun Permanente platform, the complete Abkantun Process Center is now ready to reestablish its operations.
In a second phase, during the third week of April, the Platform Abkantun Temporal will restart operations. Thereafter, the Abkantun Process Center will be in a position to segregate crudes flows and allow the reinforcement of the crude blends for export purposes.
For information about operations in Mexico contact GAC-Tomas Ruiz at gac-tomasruiz.mexico@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”
