NOTICE TO ALL MARINERS PILOTAGE DIRECTION FOR THE PORT OF PLYMOUTH                                                                 20th April 2010

The Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, as the Competent Harbour Authority for the Port of Plymouth, hereby direct that under the Cattewater (Pilotage) Harbour Revision Order 1988, Pilotage shall be compulsory within the Plymouth Pilotage District for the vessels listed at paragraph 3 below.

Area of Jurisdiction

So much of the tidal waters of the Port of Plymouth as is bounded on the north by the Tamar Bridges, on the east by the Laira Bridges and the south by an imaginary line drawn three and one half nautical miles radius from the lighthouse on Plymouth Breakwater, with the exception of any wharves, piers, jetties, docks or moorings belonging to the Ministry of Defence.

Vessels subject to compulsory pilotage:

a)      All vessels over 50 metres length overall proceeding to or from an alongside or buoy berth in the port.

b)      All vessels over 100 metres length overall proceeding within the area north of an imaginary line from Maker Point lighthouse to the western Plymouth Breakwater lighthouse, and north of an imaginary line from the eastern Plymouth Breakwater lighthouse to Staddon Point.

c)      All vessels exceeding 125 metres length overall proceeding to an anchorage in Cawsand Bay.

d)      All vessels exceeding 150 metres length overall proceeding north of an imaginary line drawn from Penlee Point to the Shag Stone.

e)      All Vessels carrying Hazardous, Noxious or Polluting Cargoes, including those vessels not gas-freed from a previous cargo proceeding to or from an alongside berth or buoy in the port.

f)        All vessels over 50 metres length overall not carrying navigational charts of Plymouth of a scale of 1:12,500 or larger and which show all numbered anchorages.

Government Vessels:

Pilotage of the following vessels will be at the discretion of the Queen's Harbour Master Plymouth, using an Admiralty Pilot when required:

a)         HM Ships,

b)         Government owned ships and auxiliaries and foreign warships/auxiliaries navigating in the port for the purpose of taking up or leaving an anchorage or Ministry of Defence owned berth, dock or mooring.

c)         Any vessel proceeding to a Ministry of Defence owned berth, dock or mooring.

Exempted Vessels

Vessels exempted from compulsory pilotage by Port of Plymouth Competent Harbour Authority:

All vessels not described in paragraphs 3 and 4.

Pilotage Exemption Certificates

Notice is hereby given that applications from Masters or First Mates for the issue of pilotage exemption certificates for the above area of jurisdiction are contained in the appropriate rules published separately.  Such certificates will only be granted following demonstration of the prescribed level of experience of the port followed by successful completion of an examination.

Applications for the grant and renewal of Pilotage Exemption Certificates are to be made on the appropriate form obtainable from the Harbour Master of the Competent Harbour Authority.

Effective Date

These Directions take effect from 20th April 2010.

CAPTAIN T W CHARLESWORTH F.N.I.

Harbour Master by Direction

TOWAGE GUIDELINES - CATTEWATER HARBOUR - PLYMOUTH     The need for towage is a matter for the master to consider in conjunction with advice from the pilot.   The harbour authority can, however, require towage to be taken in any circumstance in the interests of port safety, and operates an active method of assessment that requires positive action on the part of the pilot to allow relaxation of the stated requirement.   Cattewater Berths   Towage is compulsory for vessels bound for or sailing from the following terminals:-   Pomphlett Jetty  vessels > 80 meters loa   Cattedown Wharves – Tanker on berth - vessels > 80 meters loa   Cattedown Wharves – Tanker berth vacant - vessels  > 105 meters loa   Victoria Wharves – vessels > 105 meter loa   Exemptions can be made once the following influences/factors are taken into consideration.   Environmental influences :   Tidal strength & direction UKC Wind Speed Rainfall (generating fresh water spate in the harbour) Visibility   Operational factors including :   Ship’s port pedigree Ship dimensions Proximity of other berthed vessels, including berthed tankers. Swing required? Provision & rating of bow thrust Active steering systems External intelligence (e.g. MAIB advice, last port reports, etc.)      Pilots should consider these factors before exempting a vessel from the stated requirement.   The fact that an exemption is deemed appropriate does not forbid the use of towage.   A change in circumstances may require towage to assure safety.   Vessels berthing or sailing in steady winds of 30 knots or more must seek specific approval from the harbour master or his deputy.   Cattewater Harbour Commissioners operate an 18 tonne bollard pull tug which is available for towage in the Cattewater and the wider port of Plymouth.  A small workboat offering 2.5 tonnes b.p. is available for pushing duties.   Serco Denholm operate a suite of tugs on behalf of the MoD which may be available for towage work on a case by case basis, Availability cannot be relied upon.     Capt. T W Charlesworth Chief Exec/Harbour Master Cattewater Harbour Commissioners   March 2007

PORT OF PLYMOUTH

CATTEWATER HARBOUR COMMISSION Tel:   01752 665934    Fax:  01752 253624 e-mail: info@plymouthport.org.uk

PLYMOUTH PILOTAGE SERVICE Tel:  01752 662708     Fax: 01752 669691 e-mail: pilot@plymouthport.org.uk

2 The Barbican,   PLYMOUTH   PL1 2LR

______________________________ www.plymouthport.org.uk ____________________________

Valid:1 April 2010/31 March 2011                                .

PILOTAGE EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE

                                APPLICATION FORM FOR MASTERS AND MATES

             A.    New Application*

                    B.    Renewal*

                                     (* Delete as applicable)

NAME:
NATIONALITY:		DATE OF BIRTH:
ADDRESS:
NAME & ADDRESS OF OWNERS:
NAME & ADDRESS OF LOCAL SHIPPING AGENTS:
DETAILS OF LARGEST SHIP FOR WHICH EXEMPTION IS REQUIRED:	Length Overall in metres  :   Tonnages -              Gross:        Net :                       Deadweight :   Draught in metres   :        Type of Ship             :

NAMES & FLAGS OF SHIPS YOU WISH TO PILOT WITH YOUR EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE:		NAME:		FLAG:
AREAS FOR WHICH YOU REQUIRE EXEMPTION:		a.      All areas within District* b.      Sea to Millbay*  c.       Sea to Cattewater and Sutton Harbour berths* d.                Sea to Hamoaze commercial berths*   * (Delete as appropriate)
EXPERIENCE OF MOVEMENTS IN PLYMOUTH DURING PAST 12 MONTHS:
Date	Ship		From / To		Day / Night	Master / Mate
DATE AND PLACE OF ISSUE OF CERTIFICATE AS MASTER / FIRST MATE:   DATE:                                            PLACE:   CERTIFICATE:                                                                                 CERTIFICATE NO:
PREVIOUS PLYMOUTH PILOTAGE EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE:   NUMBER:                                                                               DATE OF ISSUE:

I enclose a fee of  £………………..…. in respect of:     a.         Examination and issue of Pilotage Exemption Certificate for a single part of the port.                                                     £127.00 *   b.                 Examination (without certificate - i.e. re-examination)            for a single part of the port.                                                                             £81.50 *   c.         Examination and issue of Pilotage Exemption Certificate for two or more parts of the port.                                            £181.50 *   d.         Renewal of Pilotage Exemption Certificate.                                               £46.00 *   * Note:  These rates valid until 31st March 2011.

I certify that I am fully conversant with the following:   ·        Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 1999   ·        Millbay, Cattewater, Sutton and Cattedown Byelaws (as appropriate)   ·        Port of Plymouth Pilotage Direction dated 1 April 2002   ·        and I further confirm that I have a satisfactory knowledge of the English language for the purposes of navigation in the Port of Plymouth.   ·        and that I have completed the required number of trips to qualify for an exemption or the renewal of an exemption.

I certify that the above answers are true and correct and I acknowledge that any false or incorrect answers may result in the Competent Harbour Authority refusing to grant a certificate.     Signed :           ..................................................       Date : .............................     Name in Block Capitals :         ...................................................                ......................................                                                                                        Position in Company

April 2010

CATTEWATER HARBOUR COMMISSIONERS
RULES GOVERNING THE ISSUE & RENEWAL OF PILOTAGE
EXEMPTION CERTIFICATES FOR MASTERS AND FIRST MATES

1.         Geographical Areas

Certificates may be issued to Masters and First Mates of vessels for one or more of the following parts of the Port of Plymouth Pilotage District:

1.1       Sea to Millbay Docks Tidal Berths,

1.2       Sea to Cattewater and/or Sutton Harbour Berths,

1.3       Sea to Hamoaze Commercial Berths,

1.4       Sea to Upper reaches - Harbour tour craft only.

Note:  In general a certificate will be granted for use on any named vessel within a range of length/draught and type.

Certificates will only be issued following successful completion of an examination, and proof of the tripping requirement.

2.         Fees for Issue, Examination & Renewal of Pilotage Exemption Certificates

a.         Examination and issue of Pilotage Exemption

Certificate for a single part of the port.                                                           £127.00 *

b.                  Examination (without certificate - i.e. re-examination)

           for a single part of the port.                                                                                  £81.50 *

c.         Examination and issue of Pilotage Exemption

Certificate for two or more parts of the port.                                                   £181.50 *

d.         Renewal of Pilotage Exemption Certificate.                                                     £46.00 *

*  Note:  These rates valid until 31^st March 2011.

3.1       Experience Required Prior to Application

The extent of local knowledge and experience required before being granted a Pilotage Exemption Certificate will depend upon the part to be navigated and the size and class of the vessel concerned. A candidate for a pilotage certificate is to have performed at least 12 passages (six round trips), including 4 passages in the hours of darkness, in the relevant part(s) of the Pilotage District during the twelve months immediately preceding the date of application for an exemption certificate.  However applicants with sufficient proven knowledge but less experience will not necessarily be excluded but there could also be occasions when more experience than that set out above may be required.

3.2       Tripping

Applicants should contact the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners prior to undertaking tripping.  A tripping number (prefixed T) will be issued to the applicant and should be reported to Longroom Port Control on each occasion the holder has conduct of the vessels navigation under the supervision of an authorised pilot.

4.         Information Required from Candidate for Examination for a Pilotage Exemption Certificate

Candidates must complete a formal application form and supply the following information:

(a)       Name, nationality and address of applicant

(b)       Name and address of owners

(c)        Name and address of local agents

(d)       Names and types of ship for which exemption is required; Flag; length draught and tonnages

(e)       Part(s) of the Pilotage District for which an exemption is required

(f)         The extent of experience in the Pilotage District during the last 12 months (see paragraph 3).  Previous experience may also be given as this might be taken into account.

(g)       Evidence of Qualification: eg Department of Transport or Sécretariat de l'État à la Mer etc.

(h)        Evidence of current medical fitness (including eyesight standard from a Medical Practitioner, in accordance with Merchant Shipping Notice M.1225 or amending notice, (or national equivalent)

            (i)         Confirmation that the applicant is familiar with the current:-

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea;                                
            Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order;

Millbay, Cattewater and Sutton Harbour Byelaws as appropriate;

Dangerous Substance in Harbour Area Regulations 1987 and individual harbour Emergency Plans;

Port of Plymouth Pilotage Direction 2002

(j)         Confirmation that the applicant has a satisfactory working knowledge of the English language.

5.         Particulars of Examination

Applicants for Masters and First Mates Pilotage Certificates are to make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the following subjects:

5.1       General Navigation

The application to pilotage of:

(a)       The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea

(b)       IALA Maritime Buoyage - System A - the General Principles and rules

(c)        The current Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order and byelaws relevant to that part for which the certificate is required (i.e. Millbay,  Cattewater or Sutton Harbour byelaws).

(d)       Local Communications procedures

(e)       'M' Notices relating to Pilotage

(f)         Relevant Notices to Mariners

(g)       The current Port of Plymouth Pilotage Direction.

5.2       Experience and Local Knowledge

The candidate's experience will be determined by his ability to demonstrate detailed local knowledge of the part or parts for which he is being examined with particular reference to:

(a)       Limits of Pilotage District and individual harbours

(b)       Coastal features

(c)        Names of Channels and Fairways

(d)       General directions and rates of tidal streams

(e)       Names of wharves, jetties and berths and their uses together with their specific uses

(f)         Queen’s Harbour Master website   -  www.qhmplymouth.org.uk

(g)       Cattewater Harbour Commission website  -  www.plymouthport.org.uk

5.3       Pilotage in the District (or Area required)

A detailed knowledge will be required of the following:

(a)       the names, characteristics, ranges and arcs of visibility of all lights,

(b)       the names and characteristics of navigation buoys, beacons and fog signals and other seamarks,

(c)        The names of channels, fairways, headlands, points and shoals,

(d)       The approximate widths of the various channels,

(e)      The bearings and distances from one buoy to the next on either side

           of the channels.

(f)        The fairway courses and distances,

(g)       Depths of water to be expected in fairways and channels,

(h)       The use of sounding equipment and expected under keel clearances,

(i)        The set, rate, range and duration of the tides and the use of tide

tables,

(j)        The effect of meteorological conditions on predicted tidal heights,

(k)       Clearing marks for shoals and points: visually by day and by night and by radar together with the use of the parallel index technique,

(l)         The names of the anchorages, their positions, depths, holding grounds, names and limits,

(m)      Ship handling characteristics of own vessel(s), squat and interaction in narrow channels and from other vessels,

(n)        Limitations of and restrictions caused by other vessels, with particular reference to HM and Foreign Warships and Auxiliaries,

(o)       Special local traffic and wind signals; signal stations and radio communications facilities,

(p)       Local Emergency Plans and procedures,

(q)       Dangerous Substances in Harbours Regulations 1987, as applicable to Plymouth,

(r)        Byelaws or other Directions requiring Certificate holders to report accidents or hazardous incidents,

(s)        Any other relevant information at the discretion of the Examiners.

6.         Conduct of the Examination

6.1       The Examination Board will consist of:

-  The Chairman or other member of the Pilotage Committee

-  The Harbour Master to the Commission.

-  A Licensed Pilot

-  Chief Admiralty Pilot

6.2       Normally the examination will be conducted at the offices of the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners at a time and date set by the Harbour Commission.

6.3       The depth and detail of questioning will depend upon the type and size of the vessel for which a certificate is required.

7.         Conditions for Renewal of an Exemption Certificate

            Certificates shall be renewed annually.  Application for renewal must be made no earlier than 2 months and no later than the expiry date.  Applications for renewal are to comply with the following requirements:

(a)       Masters and First mates must, under normal circumstances, complete at least 8 acts of pilotage (four round trips) during the past 12 months in the District for which the Certificate was granted, in order to qualify for renewal.  The CHA will reserve the right to require officers without this continued experience to present themselves to an officer of the Commission, prior to consideration as to whether renewal will be granted. (The Pilotage Certificate and the Renewal Application Form, contain a section for recording an officer's annual experience in the port).

(b)       Written confirmation of the following:

i.          Dates of all acts of pilotage in the district in the 12 month period following issue/renewal of the certificate,

ii.         Knowledge of any relevant changes affecting navigation relevant in the part(s) of the district, including changes to Local Byelaws, Regulations, Orders and Notices to Mariners.

iii.        Evidence of the officer's continued satisfactory medical condition and eyesight standard.

(c)        The relevant fee.

8.         Misconduct

In consonance with Section 21 of the Act, all holders of Pilotage Exemption Certificates shall report any incident of misconduct to which he might be a party or witness, to the Competent Harbour Authority by the quickest possible means and followed up at the next convenient opportunity by a formal written report.