Removal of Wreck at waters east of Ninepin Group
July 03, 2015, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
For a period of approximately 6 weeks, a wreck removal operation will be carried out [east of Ninepin Group] within the works area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D):
(A) 22 deg. 14.700’N / 114 deg. 26.600’E
(B) 22 deg. 14.980’N / 114 deg. 27.000’E
(C) 22 deg. 14.350’N / 114 deg. 27.600’E
(D) 22 deg. 14.150’N / 114 deg. 27.100’E
Four yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid at the above four co-ordinates to indicate the works area. The existing Emergency Wreck Marking Buoy inside the aforesaid works area will be removed.
The works will be carried out from 0700 hours to 1900 hours daily by a heavy crane vessel with the assistance of one tug, one dumb steel lighter and two work boats. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit the operational requirements.
Vessels engaged in the works will remain in the works area and display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations. Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and keep well clear at slow speed, bearing in mind there may be divers working in the area.
(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.96 of 2015
Construction of Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities
July 03, 2015, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
For approximately 12 months, marine works involving unloading, towing and installation of precast box culvert units will be carried out in the following areas:
WORKS AREA 1:
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (H):
(A) 22 deg. 19.618’N / 113 deg. 58.593’E
(B) 22 deg. 19.618’N / 113 deg. 58.703’E
(C) 22 deg. 19.580’N / 113 deg. 58.703’E
(D) 22 deg. 19.580’N / 113 deg. 58.767’E
(E) 22 deg. 19.618’N / 113 deg. 58.767’E
(F) 22 deg. 19.618’N / 113 deg. 58.869’E
(G) 22 deg. 19.315’N / 113 deg. 58.870’E
(H) 22 deg. 19.314’N / 113 deg. 58.593’E
WORKS AREA 2:
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (I) to (K):
(I) 22 deg. 18.850’N / 113 deg. 56.540’E
(J) 22 deg. 18.907’N / 113 deg. 56.582’E
(K) 22 deg. 18.960’N / 113 deg. 56.856’E
WORKS AREA 3:
This area is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (L) to (O):
(L) 22 deg. 18.812’N / 113 deg. 56.815’E
(M) 22 deg. 18.708’N / 113 deg. 56.876’E
(N) 22 deg. 18.639’N / 113 deg. 56.663’E
(O) 22 deg. 18.672’N / 113 deg. 56.452’E
From time to time, unloading of precast box culvert units from a semi-submersible barge will be carried out in Works Area 1. The unloaded precast units, floating on water, will then be towed via Route A to Works Area 2 or via Route B to Works Area 3 for onward installation.
The above-mentioned operations will be carried out by a flotilla of vessels including one semi-submersible barge, two crane barges and two derrick lighters. Two tugs and some guard boats will provide assistance.
The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 150 metres will be established around the semi-submersible barge. A working area of approximately 50 metres will be established around each crane barge and derrick lighter. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the semi-submersible barge, crane barges and derrick lighters.
The hours of work will be round-the-clock.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution.
(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.94 of 2015
Bosphorus closure cancelled
July 03, 2015, Turkey, Turkish Straits
Tomorrow’s (4 July) planned closure of the Bosphorus has been cancelled due to technical reasons.
The waterway will be open to transit traffic.
For information about operations in the Turkish Straits, contact GAC Istanbul at turkey@gac.com
Bunkering in the Atlantic Outer Anchorage
July 03, 2015, Panama, Panama Canal
In the past, the Panama Canal has only approved bunkering operations in the Atlantic Inner Anchorage, where vessels are protected by the Atlantic Breakwater from rough sea conditions characteristic of the Atlantic Outer Anchorage. However, while inadequate sea conditions for bunkering prevail for a great part of the year, there are still periods where sea conditions may allow for safe bunkering operations in the Atlantic Outer Anchorage.
Based on the increased demand for bunkering operations that often saturate the Inner Anchorage of Cristobal, bunkering operations will be permitted in the Atlantic Outer Anchorage, on a case-by-case basis, when sea conditions allow.
The temporary approval of bunkering operations in the Atlantic Outer Anchorage will be evaluated when the requesting parties comply with the following requirements:
* Bunker barges intending to provide bunkering services in the Atlantic Outer Anchorage shall notify the Canal Port Captain office in order to arrange an inspection by the Canal Maritime Safety office.
* Bunker barges shall have properly functioning machinery and equipment on board, be equipped with an adequate fendering system and sufficient booms on board for deployment and containment of any pollution accident, as well as trained personnel to safely perform bunker operations.
* Bunker barges shall have adequate firefighting equipment in full working condition.
* Bunker barges are subject to unannounced inspections in order to corroborate compliance with operational requirements and, if found not in compliance, will be subject to sanctions and their authorization to conduct bunker activities will be revoked.
* Requests for bunker operations shall be made in writing by both bunker barge and bunkering vessel, and both parties must accept and comply with the requirements set forth in this document.
* Both parties are responsible to determine if sea conditions are safe to perform bunkering operations, taking into consideration weather and sea conditions, as well as traffic density in the area. Should the sea or weather conditions deteriorate beyond acceptable limits, bunkering operations will be aborted.
* All events and incidents while performing bunkering shall be promptly reported to Cristobal Signal Station on Channel 12 VHF.
(For information about operations in the Panama Canal, contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac.com)
Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No.A-18-2015
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“Jo”
