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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, contingency measures are being adopted by ABP Southampton and the Port’s allied service providers to ensure the continued operation of the Port…
…To effectively coordinate the many factors influencing a vessel’s transit of the VTS area including traffic management, Pilot allocation, launch availability and allied service provision it is necessary to temporarily amend Pilotage Directions to ensure optimised planning of traffic. These measures should permit the Port to remain open even with an increased level of absence amongst key workers…
…Masters and agents are requested to provide as much notice as possible of planned voyages within the CHA area, to ensure that all entries in the Agents Online portal are updated regularly and cancelled where necessary.
Schedule No. 3 of the ABP Southampton CHA Pilotage Directions and associated entries in ALRS are amended as follows and take effect from 28 March.
3.1 Estimated time of arrival (ETA) at pilot boarding point
Vessels bound for the ABP Southampton CHA Pilotage area requiring the services of a pilot shall give Southampton VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) a minimum of 24 hours advance notification through the creation of a voyage in Agents Online portal. This shall include, as a minimum, the vessel’s estimated time of arrival at the Nab Tower or Needles Fairway, maximum draft, destination within the pilotage area, state where a pilot is required and a CERS3 workbook. This shall constitute a provisional pilot booking.
Confirmation of the vessel’s estimated time of arrival at the Nab Tower or Needles Fairway shall be sent to Southampton Pilots by VHF radio telephone, channel 09, a minimum of 6 hours prior to arrival. If the vessel is not within VHF range, the confirmation should be sent via the ship’s agent, directly to the VTS data centre by email at [email protected] or telephone +44(0) 7725 639565 during office hours or +44 (0) 2380 608208 at other times.
3.2 Time of departure or movement within the district
Vessels departing a berth or moving within the ABP Southampton CHA Pilotage area requiring the services of a pilot shall give Southampton VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) a minimum of 24 hours advance notification through the creation of a voyage in Agents Online portal. This shall include, as a minimum, the vessel’s estimated time of departure or movement, maximum draft, destination, and a CERS3 workbook. This shall constitute a provisional pilot booking.
Confirmation of departure time where the services of a pilot are required shall be given to Southampton Pilots a minimum of 6 hours prior to the intended time of departure by VHF, channel 09, via the ship’s agent, directly to the VTS data centre by email at [email protected] or telephone +44(0) 7725 639565 during office hours or +44 (0) 2380 608208 at other times.
3.3 Boarding and landing of pilots in adverse weather conditions
In addition to existing provisions: Due to the severe restrictions on international air and sea transport, over carriage of pilots is unlikely to be permitted outside the UK.
3.5 Allocation of Pilot
In response to a confirmed pilot booking, a time slot for transit of the CHA area will be identified by Southampton VTS and a Pilot boarding time (inbound vessels) or departure time (outbound and shifting vessels) issued to the vessel by Southampton Pilots. This time will be as close as operationally possible to that requested. In exceptional circumstances, where a confirmed Pilot order cannot be serviced within 3 hours of the request, the agent will be contacted by Southampton VTS to identify the next available opportunity for the vessel’s movement.
3.6 Transit considerations
Vessels under Pilotage in the CHA area may be required to adjust their speed to align with other traffic movements, Pilot launch schedules and the availability of allied services such as tugs and line handlers. Early in the transit Pilots and PEC holders of inbound and shifting vessels should confirm with Southampton VTS the vessel’s planned berth time. Pilots of outbound vessels should confirm with Southampton Pilots the expected disembarkation time…
…These measures may be varied in response to the developing situation and will remain in force until further notice.
(For information about operations in the United Kingdom, contact GAC UK at [email protected])
Source: Associated British Ports – Southampton Notice To Mariners No.13(T) of 2020 dated 27 March 2020