JETTY FENDER STATUS AT SCOTTISH FUEL DEPOTS

Reference:

A: OPA-OFD-RSM-HAZ-001 Risk Assessment for the continued use of Jetty Assets at Garelochhead, Loch Striven & Campbeltown 

1. Mariners are advised that the Queen’s Harbour Master Clyde has made the following General Direction under the Clyde Dockyard Port of Gareloch and Loch Long Order 2011.

2. Following the publication of OPA jetty survey reports (Ref A), significant concerns have been raised over the condition of installed intermediate fendering at Scottish OPA Depots. As a result, current operating limitations for the jetties in terms of tonnage/windage and height of tide have been reviewed.  The process of fully understanding the implications of the reports will be prolonged and therefore in the mean time there is the requirement to implement interim mitigation measures to ensure continued safe usage. 

3. The following mitigating factors should be adopted:

 (i) Tugs and Pilots to be used for all vessels over 60m LOA.

(ii) Constraining the wind and height of tide envelope for berthing operations.

(iii) Over-tugging will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Factors are to include but not to be limited to, tonnage, LOA, manoeuvrability and weather.

(iv) Minimising the length of stay at the berth to cover only fuelling/de-fuelling operations.

(v) Optimising additional fendering including self fendering for smaller vessels.

At the final stage of approach to a jetty, the pilot and vessel master/Chief Officer will judge the speed of approach using professional experience and local expert knowledge.

It must be acknowledged the pilot will always plan to come into contact with the berth at the minimum possible speed using tug assistance and at a broad an angle as possible to spread the load across the jetty fendering.

4. The authority of this General Direction under the Dockyard Port Order applies only to those OPA Depots which lie within Dockyard Port Waters; however the guidance should apply equally for all Scottish OPA depots as they remain MOD Property.

5. This General Direction will be reviewed by 10 Jan 22.

Queen's Harbour Master

Renown Building

HM Naval Base, Clyde.