Achorage

Establishment of Virtual AIS Aid to Navigation in Torres Strait

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AMSA has identified a number of instances where deep draught vessels may have transited very close to the charted position of OG Rock in the Prince of Wales Channel.

For deep draught vessels the practice of transiting close to, or over, the charted position of OG Rock may increase risk, lead to a breach of AMSA’s stipulated under keel clearance limit or, in the worst case scenario, lead to a vessel grounding.

To assist deep draught vessels navigate in and around this area, AMSA has established a ‘virtual’ AIS Aid to Navigation (AtoN). A virtual AIS AtoN is an AtoN that can be displayed on vessel’s navigation displays for a location where no actual physical aid to navigation exists.

The virtual AIS AtoN readily and clearly indicates the charted position of OG Rock on navigational displays to assist Mariners keep deep draught vessels well clear of OG Rock and to avoid accidental breaches of Under Keel Clearance limits as stipulated in Marine Order 54.

The virtual AIS AtoN appears in position (WGS84) 10 degrees 29.865 South; 142 degrees 20.753 East. This should display on vessels’ ECDIS / Minimum Keyboard Displays / AIS equipment as a virtual Special Mark. The AIS description will include the text ‘OG Rock’.

Mariners transiting Torres Strait should be familiar with the location of OG Rock and its associated virtual AIS AtoN. Additionally, Mariners should consider the limited room to manoeuvre that is available for deep draught vessels in the vicinity of OG Rock.

Source: AMSA

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Revision of Anchorages, Fairways and Channels in Singapore Port

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 MPA Singapore issued Port marine circular advising that the anchorages, fairways and channels listed in the Second and Third Schedules to the MPA (Port) Regulations will be revised. These revisions will come into effect on 1 June 2015.

A vessel which uses any anchorage, fairway or channel for a purpose other than that specified by the Authority or in a manner contrary to the Port Master’s directions shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding $1,000 for every day or part of the day during which the offence continues after conviction.

The key revisions are:

  1. The existing West Jurong Anchorage (Abbreviated Code AWJ) will be discontinued;

  2. The boundaries of the Temasek Fairway will be revised; and

  3. Additional types of vessels that can anchor in:

  • Selat Pauh Anchorage (Abbreviated Code ASPLU)

  • Raffles Reserved Anchorage (Abbreviated Code ARAFR)

  • LNG/LPG/Chemical Gas Vessel Anchorage (Abbreviated Code ALGAS) T.

The revised list of designated anchorages, fairways and channels that will be incorporated in the Second and Third Schedules to the MPA (Port) Regulations, as amended by the MPA (Port) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 is published in the Gazette.

REFER MPA CIRCULAR FOR FULL DETAILS

Source: MPA

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