NOTICE TO MARINERS NO. 8/09

PILOTAGE ORDERS AND PROCEDURES EFFECTIVE FROM
1 DECEMBER 2009

Masters of all vessels that are not represented by an agent accredited with the Gloucester Harbour Trustees are advised that orders for pilotage MUST be accompanied at the time of ordering by the information set out in (2) (below) and additionally:

• The full name and address of the vessel’s owners
• A telephone number for the owners
• Confirmation that payment for services will be made at the conclusion of the passage

The above information may be provided either directly to Gloucester Harbour Trustees or via the duty pilot.

Orders for pilotage without payment will not be accepted without the prior agreement of the Trustees, who may be contacted at:

Navigation House
The Docks
Sharpness
Berkeley
GL13 9UD

Or by telephone at 01453 811913

It is anticipated that the above requirements will generally apply to vessels subject to Pilotage Directions intending to use the drydocks at Sharpness and Gloucester, and vessels attending Gloucester Docks for other purposes.

1. OPERATIONAL CONSTRAINTS

The boarding of inward bound vessels by the Bristol pilot cutter normally takes place between the Breaksea Light and Barry Roads between 6 to 4 hours before high water at Sharpness.

The departure of vessels outwards from Sharpness normally takes place between 2 hours before to 30 minutes after high water at Sharpness depending on tidal constraints. 

NB For operational purposes within the impounded dock vessels may be expected to leave their berth and enter the lock or basin up to 3½ hours before high water Sharpness (small vessels may occasionally leave their berth at a time closer to high water Sharpness).

Information on movements between Sharpness and local ports (when the pilot cutter is not required) is available from the duty pilot on request.

Factors such as ship dimensions, draught in fresh water, speed, equipment and condition combined with tidal and weather conditions are critical to a safe and expeditious passage. Full co-operation from ships' agents, masters and owners is essential in providing information on the vessel's status and dimensions and in updating of a vessel’s ETA and ETD, otherwise delays and liability for additional charges may be incurred.

2. ORDERING OF PILOT SERVICES

Ships' agents, masters and owners should direct orders for pilotage to the Trustees' duty pilot.

• Orders should be placed by telephone on 07774 226143 during duty watch hours which are 0800 to 1800 Monday to Friday and 0800 to 1200 on Saturday (excepting Christmas Day.) A minimum of 24 hours’ notice of ETA at the Breaksea Light is required for inward bound vessels, and a minimum of 8 hours’ notice before high water at Sharpness for outward bound vessels.

• Late booking fees as set out in the Trustees’ current list of charges will be imposed in the following circumstances:

            (a)        Orders for pilots outside duty watch hours
            (b)        Orders received for inward bound vessels less than 10 hours before                      high water at Sharpness
            (c)        Orders received for outward bound vessels less than 4 hours before                     high water at Sharpness

• The duty pilot must be provided with the following information at the time of ordering:

ETA or ETD
Summer Dead Weight (SDWT)
Maximum draught in fresh water
Speed
Air draught above the waterline
Any other information relevant to the navigational status of the vessel

NB:     Failure to provide accurate information as required above may                               compromise the ability of the vessel to dock at Sharpness under                          marginal conditions.

3. INWARD BOUND VESSELS - ETA

Confirmation of ETA at boarding area ‘C’ (latitude 51° 21'.50N longitude 3° 15'.50W) must be provided by telephone to the duty pilot by masters or their agents at least 24 hours in advance.  

Vessels whose transit time from the departure port to the pilot station is expected to be less than 24 hours must contact the duty pilot as soon as possible after departure.

Failure to comply with this procedure may result in the pilot not being present at the Boarding and Landing Station at the appropriate time with consequent delay to the vessel.

4. OUTWARD BOUND VESSELS - ETD

Masters of vessels outward bound from Sharpness, and sailing before 1200 local time, must agree their ETD with the duty pilot by telephone, either directly or through their agent, before 1800 local time on the previous day.  When vessels are sailing after 1200 local time, ETD must be agreed with the Duty Pilot a minimum of 4 hours beforehand.  In both cases the agreed ETD must be confirmed by the master directly to the Sharpness Pierhead two and one half hours beforehand.

ETD arrangements for Chepstow and Lydney will be advised on request.

5. BOARDING AND LANDING OF PILOTS

Pilots are normally boarded and landed between the Breaksea Light and Barry Roads by the Bristol pilot cutter which keeps a continuous listening watch on VHF channel 06.

Masters bound inward should make radio contact with the cutter at least one hour before their arrival off the Breaksea Light using the call sign 'GLOUCESTER PILOT'. The master will then be given instructions on the position and time of the boarding of the pilot.

6. CANCELLATION AND POSTPONEMENT OF PILOT SERVICES

Ships' agents, masters or owners may cancel or amend an order for pilotage services during the duty watch period without charge provided that the following notice is given.

(a)        Inward bound vessels at least ten hours before high water at Sharpness for
(b)        Outward bound vessels at least four hours before high water Sharpness and          at least four hours before high water Chepstow or Lydney.

Cancellation or postponement of an order for pilotage services with less than the above notice or outside duty watch hours will result in the imposition of cancellation or postponement charges as set out in the Trustees' current list of pilotage charges.

Notice to Mariners 05/2002 is cancelled with effect from 30 November  2009

Notices to Mariners in force may be viewed on the Trustees' website:

 www.gloucesterharbourtrustees.org.uk

Positions given relate to the WGS84 datum.

Owners, Agents and Charterers should ensure that the contents of this Notice are made known to the Masters or persons in charge of their vessels or craft.

M Johnson
Marine Officer

01 December 2009.