Challenges of Jack-up Barges in Port Environment

2. Challenges of Jack-up Barges in Port Environment Russell Bird Group Hydrographic and Dredging Manager Direct Report to Group Harbour Master

3. 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?

4. Port of Liverpool- outer limits

5. Examples of recent vessels

6. 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

7. 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

8. Anchorage issues

9. Indemnity Form- Example • Indemnify port against: • Time loss • Revenue loss • Recovery

10. 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?

11. 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

13. Any Questions? Thankyou