Notice to Mariners

As forewarned already at Notice to Mariners M49 of 2009, from 18 Jan 2010 until further notice (Approx mid 2010) the multicat JESSICA S and the barge DEVON will deliver materials to and remove spoil from the Blackfriars Rail Bridge construction activity being undertaken by Balfour-Beatty (BBCEL), contracted to Network Rail.  This work will require short-notice arch closures of both Blackfriars Rail and Road Bridges, some times these closures will be for several hours, at other times for several days.

Additional vessels and craft will operate in the vicinity from time to time.  The PLA Bankside mooring is likely to be occupied throughout the period, but remains available in emergency, if emergency use is required the Harbour Master/London VTS should be consulted at the earliest opportunity.  The moorings installed in the vicinity of both the Blackfriars Rail and Road Bridges are designed to allow vessels/craft to move from arch to arch given a 2 hours notice period, maintaining at least two arches open to navigation.

Because the JESSICA S and DEVON will be actually working in the arch it will not be safe to suspend the arch closure sign in the centre of the arch as required at Byelaw 29.  Instead the arch closure sign will be located on the arch and as back-up; an additional and highly-visible sign will placed on the Barge DEVON at least 0.6m above the barge coaming.

The following general conditions will apply throughout this period:

General

• Only one of the three navigable arches is to be closed at any one time.

• PLA Harbour Service launch will attend during closure procedures.
• Reporting vessels supporting the construction activity shall be fitted with operational AIS.
• The BBCEL representative or other nominated person, in close liaison with the Harbour Master or his deputies and Masters of Marine Craft shall monitor closely weather / tidal conditions at all times with regard to maintaining a safe operational environment.
• When visibility drops below 0.25nm, or the wind speed / tidal rate is considered excessive operations should stop.

• These short term arch closures shall be planned to minimise disruption to traffic, in particular Cory and GPS traffic and Clipper Vessels at peak commuter periods.
• Whenever possible, closed arch operations shall be conducted over daylight Low Water Periods or between 0000 to 0600 hours in the early mornings. 
• Whenever possible, when operations over longer periods of time are necessary, weekend timings will minimise disruption.
  
  Procedure for closing a bridge arch
  

• The BBCEL representative is to consult current notice to mariners, tidal conditions, current closed arches at Blackfriars Rail Bridge and current vessel movements before requesting a bridge arch closure.  (London VTS can (on request) provide advance information on the disposition and intended movements of vessels that may be most affected by a bridge arch closure, particularly the freight operators.)
• The BBCEL representative is to notify London VTS of the intended closure of the arch 2 hours before craft movement by email and by telephone on 02083127660.  Read receipt and written confirmation must be obtained.
• The BBCEL representative is to send a courtesy email to stakeholders (ensuring that all the freight operators, and major Class V operators are included.) informing them of the intended bridge arch closure
• The BBCEL representative is to ensure that the closed arch signs are displayed on both east and west sides of the intended bridge arch closure and the amber safe navigable arch sign lights are covered or switched off.
• The BBCEL representative is to notify London VTS and the Captain of the vessel working at Blackfriars Rail Bridge via VHF channel 14 that the bridge arch is closed to navigation.   No work may begin until London VTS have warned river users of the closure on the VHF routine half-hourly broadcast.  The vessel working at Blackfriars Rail should ensure that a listening watch is maintained on VHF Channel 14.
• No closures are to be implemented without written confirmation from the PLA.
• Constant liaison between BBCEL and PLA will be maintained.
• No closure will be implemented without confirmation of the need for a closure by BBCEL.
  
  Opening the closed bridge arch
  

• The BBCEL Representative will report to London VTS that works have been completed in the closed bridge arch and that the vessels are clear by telephone.
• The BBCEL Representative is to:
  • Ensure that the closed arch signs are removed from the bridge arch, formally informing TBNC that the closed arch sign is clear of the arch, and:
  • That the amber, safe navigable arch signs lights are uncovered/switched back on.
  • Report when other signal lights located in the previously closed arch, such as restricted width / obstruction lamps are correctly illuminated and power to them is restored.

·         Finally, BBCEL Representative is to inform London VTS by email and by telephone that the arch may now be opened.

Arches closed to navigation will be marked in accordance with the Port of London Authority River Byelaws 1978 (as amended) namely:

·         By day, three red discs 0.6 metres in diameter at the points of an equilateral triangle with the apex downwards and the base horizontal.

·         By night, three red lights in similar positions to the discs displayed by day.

Further details will be broadcast by London VTS on VHF Channel 14.

Persons in charge of vessels are to navigate with particular care and proceed at slow speed when passing the work.

Notice to Mariner M49 of 2009 is cancelled on receipt of this notice.