Challenges of Jack-up Barges in Port Environment

Russell 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