DATE: April 04, 2012
COUNTRY: Singapore
PORT: Singapore
Soil investigation off Sungei Jurong
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Soil investigation works will be carried out off Sungei Jurong from 9 April to 3 May 2012.

According to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's Port Marine Notice No.43 of 2012 dated 3 April 2012, the works will be conducted 24 hours daily - including Sundays & Public Holidays - at the following marine borehole co-ordinates (WGS 84 Datum):
MBH-1) 1° 18.084'N / 103° 43.736'E
MBH-2) 1° 18.079'N / 103° 43.798'E

Soil investigation works will be carried out by means of borehole drilling using jack-up barge. The jack-up barge, with tug boats in attendance, will have a circular safety working zone of 30 meters radius centered at the barge.

Tugboats will be used for shifting the barge from one borehole location to another. The shifting of the barge will be carried out during daylight hours only.

A safety boat will be deployed in the vicinity of the working area to warn other craft of the project work.

Craft involved in the works will exhibit the appropriate local and international day and night signals.

When in the vicinity of the working area, mariners are reminded to:
(a) Keep well clear and not to enter the safety zone of the barges;
(b) Maintain a proper lookout;
(c) Proceed at a safe speed and navigate with caution;
(d) Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 68 (West Control); and
(e) Communicate with West Control on VHF Channel 68 for assistance, if required.

DATE: April 04, 2012
COUNTRY: Singapore
PORT: all ports
Mandatory enhances bunkering course for cargo officers
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As the world's leading bunkering port, it is important for Singapore to provide quality bunkering services to vessels calling at the port for lifting bunkers. Cargo officers who represent bunker suppliers in bunker
transfers are required to be familiar with the requirements and procedures of the Singapore Standard on Bunkering or SS 600. They are required to attend an approved basic course on the SS 600 before working independently onboard bunker tankers.

In 2009, MPA worked with the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) to develop an enhanced bunkering course for cargo officers. The objective of the course is to raise the cargo officers' technical knowledge on shipboard operations in relation to bunkering as well as general awareness on maritime security and personal safety. The course also covers customer relationship management and service excellence. The two associations have since been offering this non-mandatory course to the bunkering industry.

As part of MPA's ongoing efforts to enhance the cargo officers' professionalism and competency, MPA will make it mandatory for all cargo officers to attend the enhanced bunkering course under the Terms and
Conditions of the Bunkering Licence (Bunker Craft Operator) as follows:

(i) Potential cargo officers
From 1 July 2012, a person who wants to be a cargo officer will be required to attend and successfully complete the enhanced bunkering course prior to working independently onboard bunker tankers.

(ii) In-service cargo officers
Existing cargo officers who have not attended the enhanced bunkering course will be required to attend and successfully complete the course by 30 Jun 2013...

Source: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore Port Marine Circular No.03 of 2012

DATE: April 04, 2012
COUNTRY: Australia
PORT: Melbourne
Exclusion Zone established around sunken vessel
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An Exclusion Zone has been established around the submerged obstruction, the sunken 'Lady Cheryl', at position 38° 17.90'S 144° 39.25'E, approximately 500m NNE of Point Nepean.

The 'Lady Cheryl' is marked by a yellow buoy, with light characteristics Fl Y VQ(3) 5s.

Until further notice, bathing and the operation of vessels (including anchoring, mooring or allowing a vessel to lie), excluding vessels engaged in salvage operations, pollution control and monitoring, and vessels approved by the Port of Melbourne Corporation is prohibited within:

1) 50 metres of the sunken vessel 'Lady Cheryl' (located in the waters seaward of the Point Nepean Fort),

and

2) within 50 metres of any vessel engaged in salvage operations, pollution control and monitoring, and vessels approved by the Port of Melbourne Corporation.

Mariners are advised to navigate with extreme caution in the vicinity of the obstruction.

Source: GAC