General Directions Flashcards
Define ‘certificate of compliance’
A cert issued to a vessel where it has been assessed against the technical requirements
Define designated anchorage
An area designated by a harbourmaster as an anchorage area or berth.
Detailed on charts, PLA tide tables or notice to mariners.
Define exclusion zone
An area of the Thames defined by the PLA as being closed to to navigation for safety or emergency reasons.
What fairways are in A1
The princes channel
Oaze precautionary area
Define moored
Made fast to a mooring chain or buoy
Made fast by anchors or spud legs
Secured alongside another vsl so made fast
Define pleasure vessel
Vessels not used for commercial purposes or bareboat charters
Define reporting vessel
Vessel >40m loa
Commercial vsls >50 gross tons which ordinarily navigate outside the Thames
Tugs that are/will tow
Define restricted visibility
Visibility <0.5nm
Define specified vessel
Explosives
LNG in bulk
Flammable liquids/substances
Toxic/corrosive substances in bulk
Define speed reduction
Notification from VTS that vsls must proceed at reduced speed in an area for the purpose of reducing wash/draw-off
Define ULCS
LOA >320m
and/or
Draught >13.5m
What VTS sector is A1?
Estuary sector/VHF 69
Who must carry a generic port passage plan and navigational risk assessment?
All commercial vsls normally operating in the Thames.
When, how and what must pre arrival/departure be given?
24h in advance than or not later than 1h before departure from last port
ETA/D, ISPS level, PEC#, confirm compliance
Submit via pices/email/telephone
What constitutes compliance with the navigational safety requirements of the general directions
1.Charts/publications correct and up-to-date
2.Appropriate port passage plan
3.Compliant with ISM code
4.Mooring assistance arranged
What info must a reporting vsl provide on arrival?
1.Security level
2.POB
3.Max draught
4.Pilot ladder compliant
5.Any navigational deficiency
When must a reporting vsl request permission to proceed and how long is it valid for?
1.10 mins
2. 15 mins then VTS must be called if not commenced
What are the reporting requirements for bunkering?
2 hours before ops:
-Location of ops
-Type and quantity of bunkers
-Expected commencement time
After permission given to commence:
-Start and stop of bunking
-Oil spills (location, type, quantity, action taken)
Is sewage discharge permitted on the Thames?
As of 01/01/23 no commercial vessel may discharge sewage into the Thames
What are the pilot ladder transfer regulations?
SOLAS Regs V/23 and IMO Res A.1045(27)
What would you do if the pilot refuses to use your ladder because it is not compliant?
Get the crew to rig the spare
Does your vessel have to carry VHF?
Yes all commercial vsls >7m must.
Most pleasure craft >13.7 must
(excluding vessels under oars)
Your AIS breaks down, what do you do?
Immediately inform VTS and inform of nature of and request permission to continue.
Later provide details of intention to repair within 24h.
Can you switch off your AIS in A1?
Must if unmanned/out of service.
For security/safety reasons but must inform VTS
You enter an area of restricted visibility, what must you do?
- Inform VTS if they are not aware
- Safe speed
- Post lookouts
What are the bridge team requirements?
Master or crew member at the conning position.
Pilot if required.
Helmsman on the bridge.
Crew member on board who can take over navigation in emergency.
What are the exclusion zone rules and navigational restrictions?
- Do not enter an exclusion zone on chart or notified on VTS
- Approach <60m of any berthed tanker or oil/gas jetty
- Approach <50m any wind turbine
- Transit a bridge arch/spac which is closed
What clearance must you give ULCSs and specified vsls?
- Stay 1nm ahead
- Stay 0.5nm astern
(Except for overtaking/passing with permission from VTS/other vsl)
Where may one-way traffic be in force?
- Princes DWR
- West oaze-SR3
- Any other deemed by VTS
What signals will a vsl requiring a speed reduction display?
- Day - ‘romeo yankee’ flags
- Night - a rigid replica of ‘RY’ >1m in height
(permission is required from VTS to display these)
In general who has right of way?
Vessels navigating with the tide.
VTs requires you to proceed to anchor, what are the restrictions?
- Non-designated anchorage before port limits
- Designated anchorage within port limits
- Only for a time as stated in pla tide tables book
- Only for vsls with dimensions stated in pla tide table book
- Not in a fairway
(except in emergency or VTS permissions)
What are the vessel manning requirements?
Vessel is capable of being moved/navigated and enough personnel to
1. Attend moorings
2. Comply with any directions from harbourmaster for the mooring/unmooring/moving vsl
3. To deal with any emergency
What info in a routine broadcast?
- Traffic information
- Cautionary areas
- Navigation info
- Tidal info
VTS services?
- Passage monitoring
- Prioritisation of vessels
- Speed reductions
- Local traffic control
- Navigational assistance
Define deep draughted tanker
LOA >90m
Draught >10.5m
Define specified vessel
-LNG/PG
-Explosives
-Toxic and Corrosive
-Flammable
How do VTS manage anchorages?
-Monitoring
-Warning
-Dragging
*>30kn/F7 winds all anchored vsls called and informed and details added to routine broadcast.
Why do VTS impose speed restrictions?
For safety reasons draw off/wash may need to be reduced
*may be ignored for safety of v/l
What are the AIS requirements in pla waters?
-Running
-Maintained
-Updated
What are the anchorages in A1?
*Tongue HAZ & DW [1.5x2.5]
*Margate Roads
Queen’s 1-3
Shivering Sands [0.7x1.5]
K3 [d0.5]
Mouse [0.5x2.0]
W1&2
Z9-12
*not designated
