Notice to Mariners

Following the investigation into a recent incident at Northfleet Hope Container Terminal (NHCT), changes have been made to Section Five (page 23) of the above Code of Practice.  Vessel Masters are asked to note the new mooring requirements at NHCT as detailed below.  Theses changes will be incorporated into the document when it is next re-printed.


SECTION FIVE – LOCAL MOORING PROCEDURES

There are a number of local practices and procedures applicable at some berths and terminals on the tidal Thames.

These include:

·         At Shell and Coryton, VHF Channel P2 (Channel 36) is used for mooring vessels over 11,000 gt and 160m in length.  Channel 10 is used for all other vessels.  If two vessels over 11,000 gt and 160m in length are berthing/unberthing at the same time, the vessel at Coryton will work Channel 10; the vessel at Shell will use P2.

·         Tankers over 4,000 gt inbound for Canvey and Shell, should be prepared to rig a pilot ladder on the side nearest to the jetty to allow the Boatmen to board.  Tankers over 11,000 gt or 160m inbound for Canvey, Shell, and Coryton oil and gas terminals will require to take a Berthing Pilot at Sea Reach No.6 or 7, which may necessitate a ladder being rigged on each side.  Vessels should be given adequate notice of this requirement.

·         The berth operator has produced its own ‘Guidance for Mooring and Unmooring Operations’ for use at the Coryton jetties.

·         All VHF radios used in tanker mooring operations must be ‘Intrinsically Safe’.

• Northfleet Hope Container Terminal (Tilbury Container Services) – Self-tensioning winches are not to be used by vessels using either the upper and lower berths.  In addition, all vessels over 200m loa, when lying head-up on the upper berth are required to put out four head lines; or when lying head down on the upper berth, put out four stern lines.