Challenges of Jack-up Barges in Port Environment
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Transcript of Challenges of Jack-up Barges in Port Environment
Challenges of Jack-up Barges in Port EnvironmentRussell BirdGroup Hydrographic and Dredging ManagerDirect Report to Group Harbour Master
Overview
Port of Liverpool
Physical restrictions of Jack–up barges in enclosed dock system- manoeuvring, towage and berthing
Operational considerations of Jack-ups within enclosed dock system and wider port limits
The ‘grey-area’ of offshore work practises within the coastal cell
Liverpool 2 development and future Jack-Up operations
Any Questions?
Port of Liverpool- outer limits
Examples of recent vessels
Physical Restrictions
Often unusual vessels to be piloted into port environment
Significant challenges to Pilotage and Safety
Harbour Towage on smaller jack-up vessels- consider ‘composite units’
Generally heavy towage arrangements- reliance on wires, possibly ‘port ops’ configuration- low weight high strength systems
Sometimes conflict between DP vessels and manual manoeuvring through docks systems and into locks
When arriving ‘dead-tow’, benefits of having dedicated barge master to liaise with mooring party and pilot.
Small deck crews with limited experience of berthing operations i.e heaving lines at low water
Operational Considerations
Short notice approach not always conducive to efficient operations when in port
Ports do not always have up to date sediment information for berths and therefore conflict when vessels request permission to ‘Jack-Down’
PP £10m indemnity required
OR enough notice for assessment of berth for sediment type and depth
Often receive request for cranage to be driven from shore to barge
Emergency Anchorage requirements
Larger barges struggle to find adequate areas for anchoring within port and anchoring arrangements i.e jacking-down rather than traditional anchor methods
Anchorage issues
Indemnity Form- Example
Indemnify port against: Time loss Revenue loss Recovery
Offshore working in an inshore environment
Many owner/operators are used to operating vessels in the offshore environment
International regulation
Freedom to move
Operations now undertaken in coastal area and port limits
Pilotage
Insurance
HM Requirements and safety assessment
Often outside navigable and operational areas- clash with port bye-laws and operations teams
MARPOL or Waste discharge consent?
Liverpool 2 and future operations
Liverpool 2- £350m project for river terminal to accommodate 2 x post-panamax container ships
Numerous jack-ups of varying sizes used in construction project already, crew transfers and piling
Harsh physical environment and unique operating procedures developed
Future operations of jack-up barges in Irish sea and Port of Liverpool
Set to increase with development- L2, cruise liner facility, Irish Sea Array
Operators/agents growing more confident with use of barges within restrictions of port environment
Any Questions?Thankyou