| Transit backlog: temporary reduction of booking slots |
| Friday, October 2, 2015, Panama Canal, Panama |
The Panama Canal continues to experience an increase in transit backlog due to recent locks maintenance work, coupled with high arrivals during the last week of September. In response to this situation, scheduled non-critical maintenance work was postponed and additional crews have been assigned to increase capacity at Gatun and Miraflores Locks.In response to concerns expressed by the maritime industry regarding the extended waiting time currently being experienced by some customers, the following additional measures will be implemented, effective October 5, 2015:
Applications for reserved transits under these terms will be received commencing 0900 hours, October 2, 2015. The booking slots available through the Auction Process, as well as the slots available for vessels less than 300 feet in length, will continue to be offered. The limits by direction and restriction will remain unchanged. These measures are being taken to reduce, as soon as possible, the waiting time for non-booked vessels, as well as the current backlog. Nevertheless, the reduction in backlog will be dependent on vessel arrivals and prevailing weather conditions. (For information about operations in the Panama Canal contact GAC-Wilford & McKay at gac-wilfordmckay.panama@gac. Source: Panama Canal Authority Advisory to Shipping No.A-31-2105 dated 1 October 2015 |
| Construction of the Tuen Mun – Chek Lap Kok Link (Southern Connection) |
| Friday, October 2, 2015, Hong Kong |
| Until 17 October 2015, a section of the buoyed channel between the pairs of buoys TC1 and TC2; TC5 and TC6 will be temporarily diverted eastwards during the following specified periods: 1) Sunday: from 2000 to 2400 hours 2) Monday: from 0000 to 0730 hours and from 2000 to 2400 hours 3) Tuesday: from 0000 to 0730 hours 4) Thursday: from 2000 to 2400 hours 5) Friday: from 0000 to 0730 hours and from 2000 to 2400 hours 6) Saturday: from 0000 to 0730 hoursThe diverted channel is bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum), with the name of temporary light marks shown in the right column: (A) 22 deg. 18.899’N / 113 deg. 57.854’E (DTC 1) (B) 22 deg. 18.854’N / 113 deg. 57.971’E (DTC 2) (C) 22 deg. 18.460’N / 113 deg. 57.776’E (DTC 4) (D) 22 deg. 18.258’N / 113 deg. 57.331’E (E) 22 deg. 18.367’N / 113 deg. 57.283’E (F) 22 deg. 18.496’N / 113 deg. 57.716’E (DTC 3)Details of the temporary light marks marking the diverted channel are as follows: (I) LATERAL LIGHT BUOYS: Name: DTC 1 Name: DTC 2 (II) LIGHTS FIXED ON PIERS: Name: DTC31 Name: DTC 4 The minimum width of the diverted channel is about 100 metres and the minimum depth of the diverted channel is about 2.5 metres (Chart Datum). To facilitate the bridge pile cap shell installation works which will be carried out by a large floating crane barge at the Tung Chung buoyed channel, a table showing the schedule of the temporary diversion of the Tung Chung buoyed channel is attached to this Notice. Guard boats will be stationed at the turning points of the diverted channel to give necessary guidance to the vessels using this channel. Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution and follow the guidance given by the guard boats on scene. (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.131 of 2015 |
| Dredging off cruise terminal |
| Friday, October 2, 2015, Hong Kong |
| For approximately 7 months, dredging operations will be carried out [off Kai Tak Cruise Terminal ]within the area bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum) from (A) to (J): (A) 22 deg. 18.496’N / 114 deg. 12.463’E (B) 22 deg. 18.395’N / 114 deg. 12.575’E (C) 22 deg. 18.299’N / 114 deg. 12.675’E (D) 22 deg. 18.154’N / 114 deg. 12.661’E (E) 22 deg. 18.010’N / 114 deg. 12.647’E (F) 22 deg. 18.057’N / 114 deg. 12.530’E (G) 22 deg. 18.092’N / 114 deg. 12.568’E (H) 22 deg. 18.225’N / 114 deg. 12.576’E (I) 22 deg. 18.266’N / 114 deg. 12.579’E (J) 22 deg. 18.422’N / 114 deg. 12.394’EThe works will be carried out by a flotilla of vessels including one grab dredger, four hopper barges, one derrick lighter, three tug boats and one survey boat. The number of vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit operational requirements. As the marine traffic in the Eastern Harbour will be affected by the races, vessels operators are advised to adjust their sailing schedule in order to avoid obstructing the races.A working area of approximately 50 metres around the dredger will be established. Yellow marker buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the dredger. The hours of work will be round-the-clock. Silt curtains, extending from the sea surface to the seabed, will be established within the works area. The silt curtain is a large piece of netting used to contain mud and sediments. 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.132 of 2015 |
| Extremely dangerous Joaquin moving slowly north-westward |
| Friday, October 2, 2015, Bahamas |
| A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Central Bahamas, Northwestern Bahamas including the Abacos, Berry Islands, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama Island and New Providence, and The Acklins, Crooked Island, and Mayaguana in the southeastern Bahamas.A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Bimini and Andros IslandA Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the remainder of the southeastern Bahamas including the Turks and Caicos Islands, Andros Island, and the Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Los Tunas, Holguin, and Guantanamo…
…At 500am EDT (0900 UTC), the center of Hurricane Joaquin was located near latitude 23.3 North, longitude 74.7 West. Joaquin is drifting toward the northwest near 3 mph (6 km/h). A faster northward motion is expected to begin later today, followed by a turn toward the northeast and an increase in forward speed tonight and Saturday. On the forecast track, the core of the strongest winds of Joaquin will continue moving over portions of the central and northwestern Bahamas today. Joaquin will begin to move away from the Bahamas tonight and Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher gusts. Joaquin is a dangerous category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next 24 hours. Slow weakening is expected to begin on Saturday. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 50 miles (85 km) from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 935 mb (27.61 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected to continue across portions of the central and southeastern Bahamas through today. Hurricane and tropical storm conditions are expected over portions of the northwestern Bahamas today. Tropical storm conditions will affect other portions of the southeastern Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands today. Tropical storm conditions are expected over portions of eastern Cuba through this morning. STORM SURGE: A very dangerous and life-threatening storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 6 to 12 feet above normal tide levels in the central Bahamas in areas of onshore flow. A storm surge of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels is expected in the remainder of the Bahamas within the hurricane warning area. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. RAINFALL: Joaquin is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 12 to 18 inches over the central Bahamas with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are expected over the southeastern Bahamas, with 2 to 4 inches over the northwestern Bahamas, eastern Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. This rainfall could result in life-threatening flash floods. SURF: Swells generated by Joaquin will affect portions of the Bahamas during the next few days. Swells have begun to affect portions of the southeastern coast of the United States and will spread northward along the east coast of the United States through the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Regardless of Joaquin’s track, a prolonged period of elevated water levels and large waves will affect the mid-Atlantic region, causing significant beach and dune erosion with moderate coastal flooding likely… (For information about operations in the Americas, contact the GAC Houston Hub Agency Center at hub.us@gac.com) National Hurricane Center, Miami Fl, Hurricane Joaquin Advisory No.18 issued at 500am EDT on Friday 2 October 2015 |
| Mooring & unmooring of vessels off Pulau Tekong |
| Friday, October 2, 2015, Singapore |
| From 2 October 2015 to 1 April 2016, bulk carriers, self-propelled barges and tug boats with barges in composite unit carrying bulk sand will be transiting Kuala Johor to the Pulau Tekong reclamation project area. Masters of vessels and harbour craft shall keep a proper lookout for these vessels, proceed at a safe speed and navigate with extra caution when in the vicinity of the mooring buoys off Pulau Tekong.The mooring and unmooring of vessels will be carried out during daylight hours (0700hrs to 1900hrs).The locations of the mooring buoys are as follows (WGS 84 Datum): TK-MB-1) 01 deg. 20.266’N / 104 deg. 04.727’E (Light characteristics: Fl.Y.2s) TK-MB-2) 01 deg. 20.394’N / 104 deg. 04.589’E (Light characteristics: Fl.Y.2s) TK-MB-3) 01 deg. 22.008’N / 104 deg. 02.667’E (Light characteristics: Fl.Y.4s) TK-MB-4) 01 deg. 22.133’N / 104 deg. 02.521’E (Light characteristics: Fl.Y.4s) TK-MB-5) 01 deg. 22.305’N / 104 deg. 02.312’E (Light characteristics: Fl.Y.6s) TK-MB-6) 01 deg. 22.433’N / 104 deg. 02.158’E (Light characteristics: Fl.Y.6s) The mooring buoys will be removed upon completion of the reclamation. (For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com) Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.123 of 2015 dated 2 October 2015 |
