Section 2 of Notice to Mariners No 19 of 2005 gave details of the procedures for the transit of Medway bound LNG vessels through the Outer Estuary.
Following a number of trial transits and subsequent further risk assessment it has been determined that LNG vessels inward for the Medway may proceed to the vicinity of the Medway buoy as a normal specified vessel, subject to the special arrangements for the Knock John Channel, before making fast their escort tug.
The procedures below replace Section 2 of Notice to Mariners 19 of 2005.
Procedures for the transit of LNG
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Within Port of London Limits, except in the Knock John Channel, LNG vessels are to be considered as normal specified vessels and the provisions of Direction 14 of the General Directions for Navigation in the Port of London 2003 (as amended) in respect of passing and overtaking will apply. |
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In the Knock John Channel between the Knock John buoy and Knock John No 5 buoy, normal one-way traffic rules (vessels navigating with the tide have right of way), will apply. Traffic will be restricted to one way operations and the separation distance from the LNG vessel will be one nautical mile ahead and half a nautical mile astern. Opposing and overtaking traffic will only be permitted subject to the agreement of the LNG vessel and London VTS approval if the other vessel remains outside the buoy line. |
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Normal traffic management arrangements in the Fisherman's Gat Precautionary area will apply. |
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The pilots/masters of LNG vessels are to submit their agreed passage plan to London VTS in order that traffic may be appraised of the vessels' progress and traffic organisation undertaken where necessary. |
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Inward LNG vessels bound for the Medway may be required to take an escort tug. In this event the tug will be made fast before the vessel passes the West Oaze buoy. The master/pilot of the vessel will inform London VTS of his intentions prior to commencing the operation. |
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Procedures for the transit of LNG vessels inside Medway Ports Limits will be promulgated in a separate Notice to Mariners published by Medway Ports Authority.
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