Notices to Mariners - Week 47

tillergirl

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UKHO Permanent/Temporary/Preliminary Notices

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. -
Four reduced depths one close to the Long Sand Inner SWB at the entrance to Foulger’s Gat, one in Foulger’s Gat and two along the edge of the Wind Farm on the side of the Black Deep. Given that the sources was Trinity House and there are no reductions elsewhere within Foulger’s Gat, it is reasonable to assume that the Gat was surveyed and it remains entirely feasible.

2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Buoy. - Notification of the second danger buoy at the Upper Collins in the River Blackwater. The buoy is not new but UKHO had never been notified of its arrival several year ago. There is at least one yacht that has sailed between the two danger buoys. The two wrecks marked by the buoys are old steel vessels as targets and still are significant wrecks that dry.

Local

1. INAPPROPRIATE USE OF VHF RADIO (from the PLA) -
On all vessels fitted with VHF radio, the Master shall ensure that VHF channels utilised by London VTS are used only for safety of navigation, emergency and urgent communications and for no other purpose. All such VHF communications shall comply with the guidelines contained within IMO Resolution A.954(23) on the proper use of VHF channels at sea and MCA Marine Guidance Notice 324 (M+F) on the use of VHF radio and Automatic Identification Systems at sea. Failure to comply with these guidelines may lead to offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 which, consequently, could result in the withdrawal of an individual’s Authority to Operate VHF radio equipment, the revocation of a vessels Ship Radio Licence or prosecution. All radio communications on VHF channels utilised by London VTS are continuously monitored and recorded. Appropriate steps will be taken to track and identify those making inappropriate transmissions.
2. LAMBETH REACH TO GALLIONS REACH - LICENCE FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS - NEW YEAR’S EVE ENFORCEMENT AREA - This notice is issued by the Port of London Authority on behalf of the Metropolitan Police.
The threat level to the UK from terrorism is substantial, meaning an attack is likely. In support of the wider policing plan that keeps London safe, all recreational vessels intending to operate between Lambeth Bridge and Margaretness must have pre-registered and completed a Marine Police risk assessment form for each vessel. Pre-registration will be undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Service, through their Marine Policing Unit, and applicants will be issued with a NYE2021 licence. There will be no charge for this licence. Enforcement Area - All recreational vessels navigating between Lambeth Bridge and the Thames Barrier Control Zone from 21:00 on 31st December 2021 to 01:30 on the 1st January 2022 are to hold a NYE2021 licence. All NYE2021 licences must be displayed aboard their vessel for the duration of the event and be available for inspection by the Metropolitan Police. Vessels that are not displaying, or are unable to produce a licence for inspection, will not be able to proceed into the enforcement area. The cut-off date for applicants to register for a licence is Friday 17th December 2021. In order to apply for a licence, owners are to contact: ThamesNYE@met.police.uk requesting a New Year’s Eve Risk Assessment Form.
3. Marine Management Organisation Licence Application for SS Richard Montgomery Mast Reduction and Removal - The Department for Transport (DFT) is applying for a Marine Management Organisation (MMO) licence to remove the three masts on the SS Richard Montgomery (SSRM). This work will decrease the risk posed by the wreck to its surrounding areas at both land and sea. The SSRM lies adjacent to the Medway Approach Channel approximately 1.5 miles from Sheerness and is listed under section 2 of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 which means it is surrounded by a no entry exclusion zone. Information on accessing licence details and how to make representations is contained in the following text supplied by the MMO to DfT in order to meet public notification requirements under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009
4. Medway Approach Channel - 2021 Dredging Campaign - dredging operations are due to commence on or around 22nd November 2021 in the Medway Approach Channel. The campaign is expected to last for approximately 10 days focussing on the area highlighted below and will be carried out by the trailing suction hopper dredger “Ham 316” with assistance from the water injection dredger “Maas”. Both “HAM 316” and “Maas” will display the required signals for respective operations by day and night and will maintain a listening watch on VHF channel 74 at all times. When dredging both vessels will be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre, therefore, all passing vessels are requested to navigate with caution. (Images of charts and vessel on the usual local list.
5. RIVER MEDWAY – CHATHAM REACH - Euro Wharf – River Works - work on the sheet piled berth face at Euro Wharf is due to start week commencing 8th November 2021. The activity involves installing 100 flap valves along the front of the sheet piled wall. As the flap valves are installed, any holes in the sheet piling will be repaired by welding plates in place. The flap valves will be installed by welding a backplate the sheet pile, the hole for the flap valve will then be cut through the bracket and the sheet pile wall by burning. A membrane will be installed behind the sheet pile wall to prevent backfill material from exiting the sheet pile wall. The flap will then be secured in place to complete the flap valve installation. All work will be carried out over low water periods by the workboat “Assassin” who will maintain a listening watch on VHF channel 74 at all times. The work is expected to take approximately 3 months to complete. All vessels are requested to navigate with caution and minimise their wash when passing Euro Wharf whilst men are working on the waterline.
6. Lowestoft – Transit of an Unmanned Surface Vessel ‘X-04’ - an unmanned surface vessel (USV) is planned to transit from Lowestoft Inner Harbour area to the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club in Lowestoft Outer Harbour area on p.m. Thursday 11th November. The USV will sail from the Yacht Club on or around Friday 12th November 2021, to undertake work at the Greater Gabbard Wind farm. The USV “X-04” is operated by ‘XOcean’ (MMSI 232023832 call sign MFWS5) and will be
remotely controlled by a USV ‘Pilot’. The vessel is capable of working 24/7. The USV has AIS, Navigation lights a radar reflector and has a yellow superstructure. The survey offshore is expected to take approx. 7 days but may be extended if any weather or operational delays. In such circumstances the USV may require to temporarily return to port. During in Harbour transits and when operating close to the Harbour approaches The ‘X04’ will be escorted by a safety boat. The Safety Boat will be monitoring VHF Ch14 during Harbour transits.
7. Approaches to King’s Lynn - Changes to Buoyage. - due to changes in the profile of the approach channel to King’s Lynn, the following amendments to buoyage will take place on or about 15th November 2021
a) No. 21 light buoy to be moved approx. 125m x 350°(T) to 52° 50’.430N 00°21’.640E
b) No. 22 light buoy to be moved approx. 105m x 355°(T) to 52° 50’.415N 00°21’.750E
c) No. 23 light buoy to be moved approx. 125m x 165°(T) to 52° 49’.865N 00°21’.540E
d) “R” light buoy to be moved approx. 165m x 000°(T) to 52° 49’.390N 00°21’.345E
All the above works will be carried out by the buoying vessel St Edmund and all mariners are requested to pass at slow speed and give as wide a berth as is possible whilst works are being carried out. Contact the St Edmund on VHF Ch. 14 for further information.
8. Burnham Fairway No 3 Lighted Buoy - the Burnham Fairway No 3 Lighted Buoy in approximate position: 51°37.176 N, 000°50.014 E is unlit.
9. Port of Wells is dredging.

that's it.
 

PeterWright

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Thanks again, Roger.

Although the present Foulger's Gat depth reductions create no problems, I just hope they are not indicative of a trend,. If the depth reduces (a lot) further to make the passage require some rise of tide for the average yacht, I doubt the London Array would be persuaded to dredge it for us.

Peter.
 

tillergirl

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I agree Peter, I doubt they would dredge it; indeed most of it they couldn't because there are three 'inter-turbine' cables and one major cable that criss-crosses the Gat. I could dig out the image of the comparison of Foulger's between 2003 and today. The reduction of the +5m contour is quite dramatic, except that since 2015 it has perhaps held its own.

And since I posted two new local Notices arrived: Trinity House have notified that the N Shipwash buoy has changed its 'tone' - "Wave actuated whistle replaced by wave actuated bell" . And Harwich have said:

Channel Deepening Dredging and Beneficial Placements: Wrabness Foreshore
From around the 18 November 2021, for a period of about 3 days, the trailer suction hopper dredger Sospan Dau (IMO number: 7711062) will continue dredging in the main channel, but will move the disposal site from Mersea Harbour to the beneficial disposal scheme at Wrabness. The dredging contractor is the Boskalis Westminster / Van Oord Joint Venture appointed by the Harwich Haven Authority to carry out the Harwich Haven Channel Deepening Project.
The dredge area is a section of the main channel known as area C2 covering the whole width of the main channel and running from about 250m east of the Platters / Pitching Ground buoys to about 1,000m west of the same buoys. Dredged material will be disposed of at two separate locations at Wrabness to reinforce the eroding
foreshore. The dredger will dispose only at high water and be positioned as close to the disposal area as possible (see attached sketch WR 001). Disposal will be carried out on each high water (weather permitting), day and night, by direct pumping of material over the bow of the dredger. Mariners are requested to keep clear of the equipment and the site of the placement works. The dredging is covered by the MMO licence held by Harwich Haven Authority: L/2020/00360/2. The disposal of material at Wrabness is covered by MMO licence held by Balhaven Ltd: L/2020/00413/4.
Maintenance Dredging & Beneficial Placements
From around the 22 November 2021, for a period of about 3 days, the trailer suction hopper dredger Sospan Dau (IMO number: 7711062) will change dredging location and beneficial placement locations.
From around the 26 November 2021, for a period of about 20 days, the trailer suction hopper dredger Medway (IMO number: 9524152) will commence maintenance dredging within the haven. It is expected that the Medway will use the Inner Gabbard disposal area. From around the 22 November 2021 for a period of 25 days, the work boat Forth Drummer (IMO number: 9676917) will undertake plough dredging within the harbour. From around the 17 November 2021 for a period of 28 days, the survey vessel Porthos (11m LOA) will be surveying within the haven. Mariners are requested to keep clear of the equipment and the site of the placement works.

I'll catch up with the images on the web site tomorrow.

And fianlly, I guess Montgomery's Mast should be removed rather than falling in and setting off everything! ?
 

tillergirl

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Update on the Local list about the Terrorist issue:

LAMBETH REACH TO GALLIONS REACH
LICENCE FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS - NEW YEAR’S EVE ENFORCEMENT AREA

Updated 16th November 2021
This notice is issued by the Port of London Authority on behalf of the Metropolitan Police.
The threat level to the UK from terrorism is severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. In support of the wider policing plan that keeps London safe, all recreational vessels intending to operate between Lambeth Bridge and Margaretness must have pre-registered and completed a Marine Police risk assessment form for each vessel. Pre-registration will be undertaken by the Metropolitan Police Service, through their Marine Policing Unit, and applicants will be issued with a NYE2021 licence. There will be no charge for this licence.
Enforcement Area
All recreational vessels navigating between Lambeth Bridge and the Thames Barrier Control Zone from 21:00 on 31st December 2021 to 01:30 on the 1st January 2022 are to hold a NYE2021 licence. All NYE2021 licences must be displayed aboard their vessel for the duration of the event and be available for inspection by the Metropolitan Police. Vessels that are not displaying, or are unable to produce a licence for inspection, will not be able to proceed into the enforcement area.
The cut-off date for applicants to register for a licence is Friday 17th December 2021.
In order to apply for a licence, owners are to contact: ThamesNYE@met.police.uk requesting a New Year’s Eve Risk Assessment Form.
 
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