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08 Dec 2015 / London and Medway Pilotage Districts, UK

Pilot transfer arrangements & declaration

With effect from 1 December 2015, the Masters of all vessels seeking to embark a Pilot at the North East Spit, Tongue or Warp Pilot stations will be required to make or confirm acceptance of following declaration to London VTS on VHF Channel 69 prior to embarkation process:

‘The Pilot ladder is properly maintained and has been rigged in accordance with SOLAS Regulations’

For vessels embarking a Pilot at the North East Spit or Tongue Pilot stations, the declaration should be made when passing the London Arrival Arc.

For vessels embarking a Pilot at the Warp Pilot Station the declaration should be made no later than when passing the Shivering Sand Towers or the North Oaze Buoy.

Vessels embarking a Pilot at the Sunk Pilot Station will be requested to make a similar declaration to the Sunk Pilot Station.

Vessels embarking a Pilot at the North East Goodwin Pilot Station will be requested to make a similar declaration to the North East Spit Pilot Station.

In the event that defects or deficiencies are noted with respect to the vessels Pilot transfer arrangements, the matter will be reported to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a Port State Control deficiency. Additionally, the Pilot may decline to embark the vessel resulting in delays to the voyage.

This new process is a joint approach to improve Pilot safety by the Port of London Authority, Peel Ports Medway, Estuary Services Limited and Harwich Haven Authority.

(For information about operations in the UK contact GAC UK at [email protected])

Source: Peel Ports Group Notice To Mariners No.28 of 2015

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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