tillergirl
Well-known member
UKHO Permanent/Preliminary/Temporary Notices
Only 3 Preliminary Notices this week:
1. ENGLAND - South East Coast - Submarine cable. Works. - A submarine cable between North Foreland and the Oostende is to be laid pretty much due west to east until off Oostende. No doubt there will be VHF broadcasts when working.
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Works. Submarine cable. - This preliminary notice advertises the route for the power cable out from just NE of the Deben to the East Anglia Three Offshore Wind Farm. This is associated with the following preliminary notice of the marking of the Wind Farm perimeter. The Image illustrates the route and the location and general marking of the Wind Farm. The following notice shows the detail and characteristics of WF marking. (Image at: Notices to Mariners)
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Wind farm. Works. Buoyage. Restricted area. -
This preliminary notice repeats Notice 4802(P) of 2024 which announces the new buoyage marking out the construction area for the East Anglia Three Offshore Wind Farm which will commence later this year. The area is outside of the area which I monitor but I have provided images showing ‘context’ and the buoy ‘map’. While under construction 500m safety zones (aka exclusion zones) will be placed around turbines sites. The power lines are intended to come ashore about 1.4nm north of the Deben at Bawdsey. Subsequent notices will report when the buoys have been placed.
Local
These from the PLA
1. Blackwall Reach to Bugsbys Reach- Blackwall Point Special Mark & Control Measures - Control measures will be put in place to facilitate the safe arrival, departure and berthing of ships over 200m LOA at Greenwich Ship Tier.
Temporary Special Mark - On or about 28th March 2025, a temporary lit yellow special mark (Fl.Y.2) will be placed on the southern limits of the navigational channel at Blackwall Point. This buoy will remain in place until approximately 4th September 2025. Please see the chartlet in the Local List in the above quoted web page.
Navigation Safety Zone - During arrival and departure of ships over 200m, a navigation safety zone will be established around each ship. The safety zone will extend 750 metres ahead to 250 metres astern of the ship between Margaretness and Greenwich Ship Tier. All vessels should remain clear of this zone unless authorised by the attending Harbour Service Launch which will be undertaking Local Traffic Control supported by London VTS. All vessels navigating in the vicinity of these ships are to pay particular attention to these movements and
maintain a continuous watch on VHF Channel 14, following instructions from the attendant Harbour Service Launches displaying blue flashing lights; call sign prefix ‘THAMES PATROL’. Further details will be broadcast by London VTS on VHF Channel 14.
2. Blackwall Reach - West India Dock Entrance Fender Works - On or about Monday 17th March 2025, contractors will be commence fender removal operations over the water in vicinity of West India Dock entrance. These works will take place by day and are expected to take
approximately three days. To facilitate these works all vessels shall keep well clear of the area marked on the chartlet. Requests for vessels to proceed with caution or pass at slow speed will be made by London VTS on VHF ch.14, in accordance with the Port of London Authority’s Port Information Guide, under ‘London VTS’, section 4. International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee (RY)’ will be displayed accordingly. Vessels are requested to be mindful of the nature of the works and of their wash when passing the works. Where a vessel requires such space to safely manoeuvre into or out of the lock, they may request via London VTS that the works be paused. A minimum of 30 minutes notice is required. Further details will be broadcast by London VTS on VHF Channel 14, as required.
3. Proper Use of VHF - This Safety Bulletin is a reminder of the correct procedures and professional etiquette expected when using VHF radio communication. As a vital tool for maritime safety and operational efficiency, the VHF radio must be used in strict compliance with international and national regulations, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) SOLAS Convention (Chapter IV), and the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998, as applicable
under UK law. All river users who regularly operate VHF radio equipment are reminded that VHF radio transmissions must be concise, clear, and strictly relevant to the safety of navigation, operational coordination, or emergency situations. The use of inappropriate language, unnecessary transmission, or non-standard phrases is strictly prohibited and may constitute a breach of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. Furthermore, improper use of VHF channels may lead to penalties under the regulations enforced by the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which governs radio licensing and usage in the UK. In accordance with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) guidance and the ITU Radio Regulations, priority must always be given to distress, urgency, and safety communications. Channel 16 must be continuously monitored unless actively engaged in a transmission on another channel, and it must only be used for hailing, distress, or emergency communications. Routine operational discussions should be conducted on the designated working channels. Regardless of which channel is used, or the subject being discussed, it is repeated that VHF radio transmissions must be concise, clear, and strictly relevant to the safety of navigation, operational coordination, or emergency situations All communication should be conducted with due respect and without unnecessary chatter or informal exchanges that could compromise the efficiency of maritime operations. Misuse or negligence in VHF communication not only disrupts operational effectiveness but may also endanger lives and maritime safety.
4. Thames Estuary - Neuconnect Cable Lay & Nearshore Works - the Neuconnect cable lay works have been completed. The attention of mariners is particularly drawn to UKHO Preliminary Notice 4461 (P) / 23 (week 48, publication date 30/11/2023), which indicates the track of the Neuconnect cable; and to any subsequent corrections (whether permanent or temporary / preliminary) in relation to the Neuconnect cable; or new chart editions which may be issued by UKHO. As with any submarine cable, mariners are cautioned against anchoring, trawling or otherwise interacting with the seabed in the vicinity of the cable track. The cable is not considered to pose a hazard to conventional surface navigation. Guard vessels, engaged by the cable contractor, may be on station along the cable track from time to time.
Their role is to monitor for vessels posing a risk to the cable by seabed interface and to pass appropriate warnings. They will not intervene in case of routine surface navigation in the area. Various works, including surveys and landfall reinstatement works, are in progress and/or may be undertaken along the track of the cable, including where it passes over the drying areas and is landed ashore. In particular, works in the drying zone may be resumed on a larger scale in April 2025. Various vessels, plant and personnel may be engaged in these works; any vessels are expected to display appropriate lights and shapes in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) and local regulations. Masters of vessels intending to navigate in the vicinity of the cable track are advised to exercise caution. Information will be broadcast as necessary by London VTS. Further PLA Notices to Mariners may be issued for any of these works as may be deemed necessary. Mariners are also advised to monitor Notices to Mariners which may be issued by Medway Ports Authority
relating to Neuconnect-related works taking place in their area of responsibility. This Notice will remain published until this information is considered adequately promulgated; at that time.
Local Notices 5 to 121 coming along.
Only 3 Preliminary Notices this week:
1. ENGLAND - South East Coast - Submarine cable. Works. - A submarine cable between North Foreland and the Oostende is to be laid pretty much due west to east until off Oostende. No doubt there will be VHF broadcasts when working.
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Works. Submarine cable. - This preliminary notice advertises the route for the power cable out from just NE of the Deben to the East Anglia Three Offshore Wind Farm. This is associated with the following preliminary notice of the marking of the Wind Farm perimeter. The Image illustrates the route and the location and general marking of the Wind Farm. The following notice shows the detail and characteristics of WF marking. (Image at: Notices to Mariners)
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Wind farm. Works. Buoyage. Restricted area. -
This preliminary notice repeats Notice 4802(P) of 2024 which announces the new buoyage marking out the construction area for the East Anglia Three Offshore Wind Farm which will commence later this year. The area is outside of the area which I monitor but I have provided images showing ‘context’ and the buoy ‘map’. While under construction 500m safety zones (aka exclusion zones) will be placed around turbines sites. The power lines are intended to come ashore about 1.4nm north of the Deben at Bawdsey. Subsequent notices will report when the buoys have been placed.
Local
These from the PLA
1. Blackwall Reach to Bugsbys Reach- Blackwall Point Special Mark & Control Measures - Control measures will be put in place to facilitate the safe arrival, departure and berthing of ships over 200m LOA at Greenwich Ship Tier.
Temporary Special Mark - On or about 28th March 2025, a temporary lit yellow special mark (Fl.Y.2) will be placed on the southern limits of the navigational channel at Blackwall Point. This buoy will remain in place until approximately 4th September 2025. Please see the chartlet in the Local List in the above quoted web page.
Navigation Safety Zone - During arrival and departure of ships over 200m, a navigation safety zone will be established around each ship. The safety zone will extend 750 metres ahead to 250 metres astern of the ship between Margaretness and Greenwich Ship Tier. All vessels should remain clear of this zone unless authorised by the attending Harbour Service Launch which will be undertaking Local Traffic Control supported by London VTS. All vessels navigating in the vicinity of these ships are to pay particular attention to these movements and
maintain a continuous watch on VHF Channel 14, following instructions from the attendant Harbour Service Launches displaying blue flashing lights; call sign prefix ‘THAMES PATROL’. Further details will be broadcast by London VTS on VHF Channel 14.
2. Blackwall Reach - West India Dock Entrance Fender Works - On or about Monday 17th March 2025, contractors will be commence fender removal operations over the water in vicinity of West India Dock entrance. These works will take place by day and are expected to take
approximately three days. To facilitate these works all vessels shall keep well clear of the area marked on the chartlet. Requests for vessels to proceed with caution or pass at slow speed will be made by London VTS on VHF ch.14, in accordance with the Port of London Authority’s Port Information Guide, under ‘London VTS’, section 4. International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee (RY)’ will be displayed accordingly. Vessels are requested to be mindful of the nature of the works and of their wash when passing the works. Where a vessel requires such space to safely manoeuvre into or out of the lock, they may request via London VTS that the works be paused. A minimum of 30 minutes notice is required. Further details will be broadcast by London VTS on VHF Channel 14, as required.
3. Proper Use of VHF - This Safety Bulletin is a reminder of the correct procedures and professional etiquette expected when using VHF radio communication. As a vital tool for maritime safety and operational efficiency, the VHF radio must be used in strict compliance with international and national regulations, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) SOLAS Convention (Chapter IV), and the Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998, as applicable
under UK law. All river users who regularly operate VHF radio equipment are reminded that VHF radio transmissions must be concise, clear, and strictly relevant to the safety of navigation, operational coordination, or emergency situations. The use of inappropriate language, unnecessary transmission, or non-standard phrases is strictly prohibited and may constitute a breach of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. Furthermore, improper use of VHF channels may lead to penalties under the regulations enforced by the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which governs radio licensing and usage in the UK. In accordance with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) guidance and the ITU Radio Regulations, priority must always be given to distress, urgency, and safety communications. Channel 16 must be continuously monitored unless actively engaged in a transmission on another channel, and it must only be used for hailing, distress, or emergency communications. Routine operational discussions should be conducted on the designated working channels. Regardless of which channel is used, or the subject being discussed, it is repeated that VHF radio transmissions must be concise, clear, and strictly relevant to the safety of navigation, operational coordination, or emergency situations All communication should be conducted with due respect and without unnecessary chatter or informal exchanges that could compromise the efficiency of maritime operations. Misuse or negligence in VHF communication not only disrupts operational effectiveness but may also endanger lives and maritime safety.
4. Thames Estuary - Neuconnect Cable Lay & Nearshore Works - the Neuconnect cable lay works have been completed. The attention of mariners is particularly drawn to UKHO Preliminary Notice 4461 (P) / 23 (week 48, publication date 30/11/2023), which indicates the track of the Neuconnect cable; and to any subsequent corrections (whether permanent or temporary / preliminary) in relation to the Neuconnect cable; or new chart editions which may be issued by UKHO. As with any submarine cable, mariners are cautioned against anchoring, trawling or otherwise interacting with the seabed in the vicinity of the cable track. The cable is not considered to pose a hazard to conventional surface navigation. Guard vessels, engaged by the cable contractor, may be on station along the cable track from time to time.
Their role is to monitor for vessels posing a risk to the cable by seabed interface and to pass appropriate warnings. They will not intervene in case of routine surface navigation in the area. Various works, including surveys and landfall reinstatement works, are in progress and/or may be undertaken along the track of the cable, including where it passes over the drying areas and is landed ashore. In particular, works in the drying zone may be resumed on a larger scale in April 2025. Various vessels, plant and personnel may be engaged in these works; any vessels are expected to display appropriate lights and shapes in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS) and local regulations. Masters of vessels intending to navigate in the vicinity of the cable track are advised to exercise caution. Information will be broadcast as necessary by London VTS. Further PLA Notices to Mariners may be issued for any of these works as may be deemed necessary. Mariners are also advised to monitor Notices to Mariners which may be issued by Medway Ports Authority
relating to Neuconnect-related works taking place in their area of responsibility. This Notice will remain published until this information is considered adequately promulgated; at that time.
Local Notices 5 to 121 coming along.