Agents and Masters of vessels bound to or from the Medway are reminded of their obligations under the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 in respect of dangerous substances being transported through a harbour area on the way to or from loading or unloading in an overlapping harbour area or in an abutting harbour area, as is the case when such substances are being transported through Port of London Authority waters to or from the Medway Ports.
Section 6 of the Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas states inter alia that:-
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(1) |
A dangerous substance shall not be brought into a harbour or harbour area unless, in the case of a vessel, the master or agent has given to the harbour master notice containing the particulars referred to in paragraph (3) not less than 24 hours or such longer time as the harbour master may for operational reasons require but shall not exceed 14 days before the substance is brought in or, if it is not reasonably practicable to give 24 hours notice, such shorter time as the harbour master may agree.
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(2) |
Where a vessel carrying a dangerous substance is to enter a harbour area (PLA Waters) not to load or unload there but on the way to loading or unloading in an overlapping harbour area or in an abutting harbour area {Medway Ports} then the notice required under paragraph (1) shall be given to the harbour master of that harbour area (Port of London) and to the harbour master of that overlapping or abutting harbour area (Medway Ports).
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(3) |
Any notice required under paragraph (1) shall contain such information as is adequate to evaluate the risk created by the substance to the health and safety of any person. |
The information required by the Port of London Authority in respect of (3) above being applicable to dangerous substances being carried in bulk is as follows:
I.M.O class, U.N Number, Weight, Product Name
This information should be sent to the Port Control Centre at Gravesend by Fax or Email (01474 352996 or shipcon@pla.co.uk).
