Varying expectations by Boatmen and Agents exist in respect of the informal service that is currently provided to confirm vessel ETAs or to notify them of amended ETAs. The following adopted from 16 May 2005 to prevent misunderstandings and to ensure that the chances of messages not reaching the appropriate person are minimised.procedure will be
Notification
When a ship passes its arrival details and asks for berthing instruction/confirmation from Port Control Centre London (call sign - London VTS), Vessel Traffic Services Officers (VTSOs) will check the berth, tug and boatmen availability details held in the port database, POLARIS.
If the reported ETA is within 15 minutes of the berthing time previously agreed with the Agent and shown in POLARIS, no further action will be taken VTS.
If the reported ETA is more than 15 minutes from berthing time agreed with the Agent and shown in POLARIS, then the Dock Master (Tilbury berths), relevant berthing office (berths with terminal labour) or the nominated boatmen (all other berths) will be informed on the declared contact number by the VTSO. Agents will be informed by the Shipping Co-ordination Officer. The time of the call will be recorded.
Agents will be informed on the normal office or out-of-hours contact numbers that are already held by Port Control Centre London. Boatmen requiring a notification service should provide Port Control Centre London with a declared contact number. Only one number will be accepted; arrangements should, therefore, be made for ?transfer call? facilities if alternative notification numbers are required. If the contact number is on answer-phone, a revised notification message will be left. It will be assumed that a regular check is made of this number. It is the responsibility of the declared contact (i.e. the Dockmaster, Berthing Office or Nominated Boatman) to inform all other members of the berthing team.
Requests for berthing information or updates by individual boatmen should normally be made to Shipping Co-ordination Officer (01474 560311) and not to the River Sector VTSO or DPC. No private agreement can be entered into offering to act as a ?wake up call service? to individual boatmen.
Availability
If boatmen are unable to provide a service at the previously agreed or revised ETA, it is for the boatmen to agree an alternative arrival time direct with the Agent. Any change to the arrival time must be communicated to the Shipping Co-ordination Officer at the Port Control Centre London (or direct to the Thames Barrier Navigation Centre for berths above Crayfordness) by the Agent.
Contact Information
Boatmen should inform the VTS Manager of their declared contact number in writing to: London River House, Royal Pier Rd, Gravesend DA12 2BG by 9 May 2005. Agents wishing to amend their contact details in the light of this notice or who do not wish to be contacted out of hours should inform Shipping Co-ordination on 01474 560311 by 9 May 2005.
