Overview of Nipa Lay-up Anchorage Services

MARINE LAY-UP SERVICES PTY LTD WWW.MARINELAY-UP.COM

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Phone: +65 3159 1835

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UEN: 201620001M

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Overview of Nipa Lay-up Anchorage Services

www.marinelayup.com

Written By Checked By Person Responsible Date Revision Gary Woolley Gary Wilkinson Technical Director 17 June 2016 1

Title Overview of Nipa Anchorage

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Contents Lay-up Site .............................................................................................................................................. 2

Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 2

Currents ............................................................................................................................................... 3

Typical Wave Heights ......................................................................................................................... 4

Tug Assistance .................................................................................................................................... 5

Weather Forecast ................................................................................................................................ 5

Anchorage Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 6

Ships ................................................................................................................................................... 6

Rigs ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

Anchor Swivels .................................................................................................................................... 6

Diving Activities ................................................................................................................................... 6

Anchor Positions ................................................................................................................................. 6

Vessel Separation Distance ................................................................................................................ 6

Rafting of Vessels ............................................................................................................................... 7

Ballast Condition for Arrival .................................................................................................................... 8

Arrival Requirements ........................................................................................................................... 8

Stability Calculations ........................................................................................................................... 8

On Arrival ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Changes during Lay-up.................................................................................................................... 8

Load Line Marking ............................................................................................................................... 8

Personnel & Equipment Access ............................................................................................................. 9

Personnel Access................................................................................................................................ 9

Equipment Access............................................................................................................................... 9

Navigation & Communication & Lighting ................................................................................................ 9

Navigation ........................................................................................................................................... 9

Communication ................................................................................................................................... 9

Lighting ................................................................................................................................................ 9

Security ................................................................................................................................................. 10

Overview of Piracy in the Region ...................................................................................................... 10

Piracy & Armed Robbery in 2016 ...................................................................................................... 10

How MLS Mitigates the Security Problem ......................................................................................... 11



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Lay-up Site

Overview The Nipa waters has been gazetted by the IMO in circular 1/Circ238/ rev1 for lay-up activities. It

covers 72 nautical square miles and has handle approximately 27 anchorage locations within it.

The Lay-up site is well sheltered, being surrounded by Singapore & Johor to the north, Batam to the

east & south and Karimun Island to the west. See Figure 1 below.

Figure 1 British Admiralty map of Singapore & surrounds

Water depth varies from 17 to 31 metres allowing good deep draft vessel access while providing

sufficient keel to seabed clearance. Water is also clear with good underwater visibility for diving

operations. The anchorage provides good seabed characteristics and therefore a proven holding

ground for vessels at anchorage and endorsed by the pilotage services of Singapore, PSA Marine.

Current is diurnal with a light easterly tide swinging northerly from the strait Selat Durian on an

incoming tide and a westerly flow to the Malacca Strait every 12 hours.



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Currents

At Selat Phillip, which is the Eastern point of the anchorage and where the channel converges,

spring tides flow at up to 4 knots. The below map Figure 2 shows the increase in current due to the

convergence in the channel and dredging while the lay-up anchorage has a current varying between

0.5 knot up towards 2 knots in speed. The Nipa anchorage is shown in the red circle.

.

Figure 2 Current flow maximum in m/s

Below is an indication to the tidal predictability for Singapore. Through advance oceanographic research the tidal speed and

direction can be predicted and published 2 weeks in advance for every GPS position in the lay-up anchorage. As per Figure 3

below the maximum current is forecast not to exceed 1.3 knots at this anchorage positon inside of the Nipa transit anchorage.

The figures are available for surface, 1/3 & 2/3 water depths for each coordinate.



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Figure 3 Current speed & direction at a set GPS coordinate

Typical Wave Heights Due to the sheltered nature of the area the wave height is generally less than 0.5 metre. During

severe storms this can be expected to rise to 1 metre. Figure 4 below shows the Malaysian

peninsular at the top, Singapore & surrounds with Indonesia to the East. As such Singapore Strait

provides a low swell area and is ideal for laying up vessels.

Figure 4 Typical wave height



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Tug Assistance Tugs are available in an emergency from Singapore with a guaranteed 1 hour maximum response

time in an emergency. As PSA Marine are a strategic partner in Nipa Waters they will be providing

the service if requested. Tugs are also available from Batam, Karimun as required and are also

available 24/7

Weather Forecast Due to the maritime nature of Singapore and population of the surrounding areas. Singapore

provides excellent weather forecasting services. Severe weather advisory services are received and

sent to the watchmen on board the vessel well in advance. This is provided as part of our

emergency response procedure relating to ‘Severe Weather’. Figure 5 below shows the Singapore

government website with a typical time sensitive alert. Go to http://www.weather.gov.sg/ for

reference.

Figure 5 Typical weather alert in Singapore

Long term weather forecasting services are also available by subscription for vessel routing for

vessels requiring this service such as rigs & weather sensitive vessels such as drill ships. Singapore

has become the hub for these activities with a lot of companies now providing this service for South

East Asia. The following link is the world’s largest private service provider with a regional office in

Singapore. http://www.meteogroup.com/

http://www.weather.gov.sg/

http://www.weather.gov.sg/

http://www.meteogroup.com/

http://www.meteogroup.com/



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Anchorage Requirements Ships The requirements for entry is for the vessel to have 2 anchors in working condition with no wear in

excess of 11% on the links, as per class requirements. This is to ensure that in the event of parting

of the anchor chain a second anchor is available for operation as per the emergency procedure

‘Vessel Drifting’. The requirement for laying out anchor chain is for 7 times the depth of water for

anchor and 11 times for anchor wire.

Rigs The requirements for rigs is to run 4 of the 8 anchors with the anchors to be tensioned to no more

than 50% of the tensioned load. The anchors are to be buoyed with a suitable buoy to identify the

anchoring position. A mooring procedure with need to be submitted identifying length of chain to be

used and final tensioning loads. The watchmen on board will check at regular intervals during the

day/ night on the anchor tensions and in particular during severe weather.

Anchor Swivels As part of an optional service the use of anchor swivels is available to ensure that there is no build-

up of kinks in the anchor chains. While there is a procedure in place to reduce this risk at the 2

monthly interval of raising the anchor to the vertical position and walking out again on the changing

tide, it cannot guarantee that the rate of build-up of kinks is greater than the first frequency of the

operation. Due to the tides coming from 3 directions 2 times a day there is the possibility of kinks

occurring. It is therefore advisable to fit an anchor swivel to reduce the risk.

Diving Activities During the 6 monthly underwater inspection conducted on behalf of Marine Lay-up Services by are

appointed diving company the anchor chain and anchor will be followed to determine the current

condition of the equipment. Where possible the anchor will be photographed. After a severe weather

event equal to 100 year or greater event the diving activity will be recommended to the client to be

conducted to ensure that the anchor has not moved and is bedded in.

Anchor Positions While there are no known debris on the seabed in the Nipa water anchorage it is important to keep

track of anchoring positions at all times. This is to ensure that there is no overlap of anchor chain,

and that the correct separation distance is kept between vessels. As such the position of the

dropping of the anchor is to be logged by the vessel or rig and given to Marine Lay-up Services

along with the amount of chain in the water or on deck as referenced at the chain stopper.

Vessel Separation Distance While at anchor good practice will be followed to ensure there is sufficient distance between vessels. As part of this the following is a guideline only. The final decision will be done in consultation with PSA Marine, Singapore from their advisory service.

The distance as a guideline is length of anchor chain in the water + length of vessel overall + 300

metres and a radius to be drawn and marked on the chart. Other vessels to be anchored in

proximity are to undergo the same task prior to determining anchoring position to ensure no conflict.

All anchors will be laid out as far as practicable in the same direction.



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Rafting of Vessels Nipa waters is a good place for rafting of vessels to and is ideal if companies wish to take the

opportunity or to save additional costs. This also eliminates potential kinking of anchor chain. A

barge is located in the Nipa waters and can provide & fit Yokohama fenders and chain for vessel

rafting. PSA Marine are our strategic partner and will provide Singapore mooring master and tugs

for the activity as required. See figure 6 below for example of rafting.

Figure 6 Example of rafting of vessels



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Ballast Condition for Arrival Arrival Requirements The requirement is for vessels in lay-up to be able to withstand wind loads from a wind velocity of 30

m/s (58.3Knots) acting at 90 & 45 degrees of the centreline without getting vertical forces on anchor.

This is calculated with a current of 2 knots. With this in mind all vessels are to arrive with sufficient

ballast and not the minimum ballast for light ship travel to comply with these requirements. This is in

particular of importance for car carriers, container ships & oil & bulk vessels who decide to arrive with

the minimum IMO required ballast condition.

Stability Calculations On Arrival Prior to arrival and again on arrival the stability program is required to be run to demonstrate that the

vessel/ rig is in a suitable & safe ballast condition. The pre arrival calculations are to be based on

estimated fuel on arrival while the arrival calculations are the actual. A final approved copy is to be

provided to Marine Lay-up Services.

Changes during Lay-up Sometimes when in lay-up a client may request that certain ballast tank be emptied for inspection

for when for example a potential client or repair works are to be carried out. In this case the client is

requested to run a stability program to demonstrate that the required changes are safe and a

procedure to be written and signed off demonstrating the order of change in ballast conditions. This

will be carried out with portable 3 phase submersible pumps.

Load Line Marking As part of the service Marine Lay-up Services will paint a white diamond 1 metre in height next to all

Plimsoll lines as part of the service. This is to ensure that from a distance the ballast conditions can

be seen and acted upon in the event of any change in trim.



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Personnel & Equipment Access While at lay-up personnel are required to board the vessel/ rig at least once per week for routine

maintenance as such boarding will be provided on the longer term by MLS and short term the ship’s

crew.

Personnel Access From when the vessel arrives, access is preferred by gangway or pilots ladder if no gangway, and for

a rig (subject to access) enclosed ladder or Billy Pugh.

As required MLS will provide a steel vertical ladder and pilot steps below at the waterline for boats to

access and use as a step up to the gangway which will be secured about 3 metres above water level.

This is to ensure that the gangway does not get damaged and remains above head height. Other

options are available such as a straight ladder depending on accessibility and fit out of the vessel.

The ladder will be measured on the first day and fabricated immediately to ensure safe access. The

gangway wire will be kept in class for maintenance and replaced or end for ended as required. Wire

certificates are to be provided by the owner.

Equipment Access During the lay-up process equipment is required to be stowed on board the vessel. This includes a

harbour genset up to 400kva, which has a lifting weight of just under 2 tonnes, dehumidifiers and

lay-up consumables and equipment from scaffolding tubes for funnel blanking to watchmen’s hut

fabrication. After lay-up access is still required in a situation whereby the harbour generator or

dehumidifier requires replacement or there is additional equipment to be supplied for additional

maintenance such as ballasting operations or blasting & painting. The stores crane or equivalent will

be maintained to class as certificates for the wires are required to be provided for servicing as

required.

Navigation & Communication & Lighting Navigation Navigation equipment relates to a portable GPS with anchor alarm to monitor the location of the

vessel and to provide an alert if the vessel moves outside of the predefined range. Upon the alarm the

watchmen will take the necessary action as defined in the emergency response procedures. Where

possible the AIS system will have its power transferred to the battery bank located near the

watchmen’s hut to provide vessel tracking information as well. This will ensure that the VTIS system is

monitored in PSA Marine Singapore and the emergency communications room in Batam.

Communication During the lay-up period 2 means of communication are required to be kept with the communications

room in Batam. For the emergency backup the ships main radio will be powered from the battery bank

located near the watchmen’s hut as it has the range & the power to communicate with the emergency

room in Batam. The primary means of communication will be either by mobile phone or marine VHF

radio. This is subject to band width and radio power to allow communication and to be advised by

marine radio Communications Company.

Lighting During dead ship operations the requirement is for an all-round white continuous barge light to be

fitted for & aft of the vessel. For this MLS will provide solar weatherproof barge lights with a range of

3nm.



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Security Overview of Piracy in the Region In recent years Asia has seen a number of reports of attempted piracy & robbery in the region. 2015

saw a number of vessels boarded or attempted to be boarded in the Malacca Straits. In these

occurrences the nature was robbery or attempted robbery by men armed with machetes and upon

being disturbed or seeing a well prepared crew departed the vessel immediately. The goods taken

were valuables of crew members or items light and deemed of value. In these instances vessels were

in transit in the main channels and mostly occurred between 0100 -0600 hours.

Piracy & Armed Robbery in 2016 In response to the increase in piracy & robbery activity the governments of Singapore Malaysia &

Indonesia have stepped up naval patrols and positioned helicopters in Johor & Batam. As such figure

7 below is the map showing the attempted robbery activity in the region for 2016 with the red box

indicating the location of the Nipa anchorage. To date there have been 4 unauthorised boarding’s of

vessels at the Batu Ampur Port anchorage of Batam and one at the Garelang lay-up anchorage in

south of Batam. This make up the total statistics for the region after 7 months. It should be noted that

since 2007 when tracking began there has been no records of piracy or armed robbery in the Nipa

transit anchorage. The Indonesian Marine police have advised all ships intending to anchor to do so

at or near Nipa where they will conduct increased patrols.

.

Figure 7 Location of vessels boarded in 2016 as of 26/07/2016



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How MLS Mitigates the Security Problem Singapore Lay-Up MLS preference is to take the vessel to the Offshore Marine Terminal or the Offshore Marine Centre

in Jurong, Singapore to allow the crew to be disembarked alongside the wharf. Using wharf cranes

equipment deemed necessary for the lay-up operation will be loaded onto the vessel. Flammables &

combustibles will be removed and any valuable equipment required to be stored ashore will be

removed from the vessel at an approved site as deemed necessary. The vessel will be moved to the

lay-up anchorage when the vessel is fitted with the equipment that allows our watchmen to take over

operation of the vessel and lay-up activities can continue at the anchorage.

At Nipa Anchorage The Indonesian Marine Police will be notified of the vessels arrival. Any crew remaining can day trip

from either Singapore or Batam depending upon what is agreed between the client & MLS until lay-up

is competed. The option of completing all deactivation & reactivation in Singapore is available at an

extra cost. Once in the anchorage the security of the vessel is covered by our emergency response

plan for unauthorised boarding

When the vessel is required to be reactivated the vessel can be moved to Singapore and lay-up

equipment removed and reactivated there. This is a preferred solution as it allows any vendors

required to service the equipment to be present. This will be agreed to in the reactivation plan.

Overview of Nipa Lay-up Anchorage Services

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