Hot Port News from GAC

Silt curtains, extending from the sea surface to the seabed, will be established around the boundary of the works area. The silt curtain is a large piece of netting used to contain mud and sediments. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the extent of the silt curtains.

The works will be carried out by a flotilla of vessels including drilling barges, trailer suction hopper dredgers, derrick lighters, flat top barges, jack-up platforms and survey boats at various stages. Some tugboats, guard boats and self-propelled delivery barges will provide assistance. The number and type 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 each drilling barge. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the drilling barges.

A working area of approximately 50 metres will be established around each derrick lighter and flat top barge. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the derrick lighters and flat top barges.

A working area of approximately 25 metres will be established around each jack-up platform. Yellow flashing lights will be installed at the four corners of the platforms to indicate the positions of the platforms.

To facilitate the drilling works, sand blankets will be temporarily laid within the works area. The water depth at the areas where sand blankets are laid will be temporarily reduced by about 2.0 metres. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow fixed lights will be laid to mark the boundaries of such areas.

To safeguard the deep cement mixing works and ensure navigational safety, guard boats will station in the works area and patrol the waters in the vicinity to give necessary guidance to the vessels approaching the works area.

The hours of works will be round-the-clock. Diving operations will be carried out from time to time during the hours of work.

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.39 of 2017

In addition, beginning at 2000 hours on Friday, April 7, 2017, until 0800 hours on Saturday, April 8, 2017 (12 hours), the WEST lane of Gatun Locks will be out of service in order to perform scheduled repairs on Miter Gate 32 and on Vehicular Bridge No. 4.

As a result, Condition 1.a for the Panamax locks will be in effect on Saturday, March 25, 2017, and on Saturday, April 8, 2017.

For the outage of March 24-25, applications for reserved transits while Condition 1.a is in effect will be received beginning at 0900 hours on Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

For the outage of April 7-8, applications for reserved transits while Condition 1.a is in effect will be received beginning at 0900 hours on Wednesday, April 5, 2017.

The Just-In-Time (JIT) transit slots, as well as the booking slot available through the Auction Process, and the slots available for regular vessels less than 300 feet in LOA, will continue to be offered during these periods.

(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-10-2017 dated 20 March 2017

Wind and sea conditions are expected to deteriorate by late Wednesday or early Thursday.

DAMPIER
The Port of Dampier is currently at Cyclone stage 2 – Prepare.This stage involves extensive communications and consultation between the Dampier Harbour Master, Port Terminal Operators, Port users and Pilots. Operational plans, sailing drafts, tidal requirements and intentions will be discussed and evaluated against possible response scenarios.

Vessel Masters shall ensure that:
– vessels’ engines and machinery are fully operational
– vessels’ stability, trim, and propeller immersion are appropriate
– vessels’ manning, stores and bunkers are adequate
– preparations are made in accordance with their respective cyclone response plan

Terminal/berth operators  are to ensure that:
– latest cyclone forecasts are taken into account if planning operations over the coming days
– response plan accounts for time required for vessel’s to clear the port and the approaching tropical system safely
– wharf areas are inspected for and cleared off / secured for any items that may have the potential to fall into the berth pockets or adjacent areas during periods of strong winds

Dampier Harbour Master will commence clearing the port and its anchorages with the view to have all large vessels clear of port limits 12 hours prior to the onset of gale force winds. This time frame is designed to ensure adequate margins of safety, and to provide ships adequate time to clear the coast before encountering storm conditions.

It is likely that Port Of Dampier will move to Cyclone stage 3 (Clear Port) by 22 March PM hours.

PORT WALCOTT
The Habour Master has directed:
– all vessels and port users to prepare for the onset of strong winds and swell
– vessels’ engines and machinery to be fully operational
– vessels’ stability, trim, and propeller immersion to be appropriate
– vessels’ manning, stores and bunkers to be adequate
– all vessels to prepare to enact their cyclone response plan

Looking ahead, weather forecasts will continue to be monitored with further advice to be issued accordingly.

At this stage there is a high likelihood that the port(s) will be ordered to be cleared within the next 24-36 hours. All vessels/operators are encouraged to make contact with the DoT Harbour Master to discuss any safety or operational concerns.

For information about operations at Australian ports contact GAC Australia at shipping.australia@gac.com