Hot Port News from GAC
10-Jan-2020
MARINE WORKS AT NORTH-EASTERN CORNER OF NEW YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER
Hong Kong
HIGH WATER ADVISORY: 30′ AND RISING
Lower Mississippi River, United States
CARGO VESSEL COLLIDES WITH FISHING BOAT
Istanbul, Turkey
PORT REMAINS AT ISPS LEVEL 1
Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Bahrain
Marine works at north-eastern Corner of New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter
Friday, January 10, 2020, Hong Kong
For approximately 9 months, marine works involving the delivery of prefabricated segments by a crane barge and one tugboat; and establishment of additional layer of silt curtains by one work boat will be carried out within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (D) and the adjacent shoreline:
(A) 22 deg. 18.980’N / 114 deg. 09.575’E
(B) 22 deg. 18.975’N / 114 deg. 09.561’E
(C) 22 deg. 18.998’N / 114 deg. 09.551’E
(D) 22 deg. 19.010’N / 114 deg. 09.556’E
Silt curtains will be established near the outlet of the Cherry Street box culvert at north-eastern corner of New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter, with two ends fixed on vertical seawall, to intercept general floating refuse from the culvert. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid along the surface of the silt curtains to mark the extent of the silt curtains.
The hours of work will be from 0800 to 1800 hours. No works will be carried out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will stay in the works area outside the hours of work.
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 and keep clear of the works area at slow speed, bearing in mind there are divers working in the area.
(For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of the Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.3/2020
High water advisory: 30′ and rising
Friday, January 10, 2020, Lower Mississippi River, United States
As a result of the Baton Rouge gauge reading 30′ and predicted to rise, the Captain of the Port of New Orleans has issued a safety advisory for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) from Mile Marker (MM) 219 Above Head of Passes (AHP) to MM 240 AHP. The following are recommendations for the advisory:
Port Allen Lock LMR MM 219-229
1. It is recommended that all tows >600′ (excluding towboat) employ an assist vessel of at least 1200 HP when entering and exiting locks.
2. It is recommended that all tows exiting Port Allen Lock into the Mississippi River intending to turn northbound use an assist vessel or proceed south below MM 221 and top around before heading north.
3. Tows should use their most experienced crews.
4. Tows shall catch a headline when entering the locks.
5. Vessels will be placed on queue for lock turn when their tow is built and may remain in the area in which their tow is built until it is time for lock turn.
Wilkinson Point LMR MM 232-237
1. Tows should use their most experienced crews.
2. Tow sizes should be kept below 36 barges. All tow operators and towing companies should use a ratio of 240 horsepower per standard barge or 550 horsepower per oversize barge for southbound transits. For the purpose of this calculation, barges with dimensions 290′ x 50′ or larger are considered “oversize” while barges with dimensions less than 290′ x 50′ are considered “standard.” If one of the barge dimensions (length or width) meets or exceeds the 290′ x 50′, then the barge is considered “oversize.” Empty barges may be calculated at ½ the horsepower requirements to that of a loaded barge when computing the overall horsepower requirement. Towing vessels with Z-drive propulsion types may be treated as having a horsepower 20% greater than the engine’s rating for the purpose of this calculation.
(For information about operations in the United States, contact GAC North America at usa@gac.com)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard, Sector New Orleans, Marine Safety Information Bulletin, issued on 9 January 2020
Cargo vessel collides with fishing boat
Friday, January 10, 2020, Istanbul, Turkey
A general cargo vessel collided with a fishing boat at the north side of the Istanbul Strait at around 06:00 hours local time this morning (10 January), causing the fishing boat to capsized and sink. According to initial reports, three sailors were lost.
Search and rescue operations are underway.
Vessel traffic in the Bosphorus has not been affected. However, vessel traffic was suspended at 07:06 hours local time due to poor visibility (fog).
For information about operations in the Turkish Straits contact GAC Istanbul at turkey@gac.com
Port remains at ISPS Level 1
Friday, January 10, 2020, Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Bahrain
In view of the recent developments in the region, we would like to advise all concerned that we are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with our regulators, Government authorities and the APM Terminals group security team. The current security level for Khalifa Bin Salman Port remains at ISPS Level 1 (normal) and the port continues to conduct its business operations as usual without any interruptions.
We always continue to remain alert and would like to assure all our customers that we have adequate contingency plans in place to deal with any unforeseen emergency, as and when required. We will keep you updated should there be any further developments.
(For information about operations in Bahrain, contact GAC Bahrain at bahrain@gac.com)
Source: APM Terminals Bahrain Customer Advisory dated 10 January 2020
