Safety of Navigation and

Traffic Management

INTERTANKO

Steve Nerheim Director -- VTS Houston-Galveston

26th May 2017

2

U.S. Port Rankings – 2015

1 South Louisiana, LA, Port of 259.1 -3.07% 15 Texas City, TX 42.9 -10.25%

2 Houston, TX 240.9 +2.8% 16 Huntington-Tristate 42.7 -7.97%

3 New York, NY and NJ 126.6 +0.40% 17 Baltimore, MD 39.4 +6.20%

4 New Orleans, LA 87.8 +4.03% 18 Tampa, FL 35.9 +2.28%

5 Beaumont, TX 87.1 -0.11% 19 Port Arthur, TX 35.7 -2.46%

6 Corpus Christi, TX 85.6 +0.82% 20 Savannah, GA 35.2 +2.62%

7 Long Beach, CA 78.1 -8.12% 21 St Louis, MO and IL 34.9 -10.05%

8 Baton Rouge, LA 68.7 -0.58% 22 Duluth-Superior, MN and WI 33.3 -10.72%

9 Los Angeles, CA 60.1 +0.16% 23 Richmond CA 28.5 +9.62%

10 Mobile, AL 58.5 -8.88% 24 Valdez, AK 26.7 +0.75%

11 Virginia, VA Port of 57.7 +0.0% 25 Pascagoula, MS 26.5 -4.68%

12 Lake Charles, LA 56.6 -0.35% ----------------------------------------------------------------------

13 Plaquemines, LA Port of 53.5 -3.43% 32 Freeport, TX 21.1 -5.38%

14 Cincinnati-Northern, KY Ports of 44.9 -10.02% 51 Galveston, TX 10.3 -2.83%

(Millions of short tons and % of change from 2014 to 2015.)

VTS Movements - 2016

4

Tug/Tow 139,271 0.81%

Ships 22,354 -3.42%

Other 5,229 -23.03%

Public 2,384 17.94%

Total Users 169,708 -7.07%

Ferries 107,967

Total 277,205

Typical Day in the VTSA - 2016

5

Average High

39 Tanker Transits 56

23 Freighter Transits 51

2 Cruise Ship Transits 8

378 Tow Transits 493

7 Public Vessel Transits 30

298 Ferry Transits 489

18 79

OSV / Other Transits Ships in Port

49 111

Transit Demographics – 2016

6

VTS Houston-Galveston Vessel Traffic Service Area (VTSA)

• Gulf of Mexico

• Galveston Channel

• GICW

• Texas City Channel

• Bayport Channel

• Houston Ship Channel

VTS History and Mission • 33CFR161

Berwick Bay Houston-Galveston LA/Long Beach Louisville Lower Mississippi River New York Port Arthur Prince William Sound Puget Sound San Francisco St. Mary’s River Tampa

• VTS Houston-Galveston Operational since 1975

• Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PWSA) of 1972 established traffic management system to address maritime safety

• After September 2001 Terror Attacks, MTSA 2002 expanded requirements of traffic management mission to support heightened security – Situational awareness is a by-product of VTS Operations.

Watch Team Sectors

• Sail Plans/Check-in (05A)

• Sector I 1B to 33/34 (12)

• Sector II 33/34 to 122 (11)

• Sector III Lt 122 to Turning Basin (21A)

VTS by Its Piece Parts

• Elements - Activities – Authorities - Monitor

– Competencies - Inform

– Situational Awareness - Recommend

– Communications - Direct

• Ports and Waterways Safety System (PAWSS) – Integrates Radar/AIS into VTS displays

– Robust CCTV coverage

– Communications with, between and amongst mariners

• Services – Information Services (Continuously)

– Navigation Assistance Services (On Request)

– Traffic Organization Services (As Requisite)

VTS Customers

• Pilots Associations

• Towing Industry

• Shipping Agents

• Coast Guard (Prevention/Response/Plans/SCC, ATON)

• Interagency/Intergovernmental Partners

• Area Maritime Security Committee

• Local Port Authorities

• Marine Exchanges

• Harbor Safety Committee

• Port Coordination Team

Using available surveillance and communications systems,

conduct active monitoring of assigned waterways and provide

information related to safe navigation to participating VMRS

Users. The VTS may control, supervise, or otherwise manage

traffic by specifying times of entry, movement, or departure to, from, or within the VTS Area. This, combined with mariners’ participation, their compliance with regulations, and the

ordinary practices of seamen enhances the safe routing of

vessels.

Mission Statement

Concept of Operations

Mariners’ Contribution

Maintain continuous All-Stations Broadcast on AIS

Sail Plan 15 minutes prior to entering VTSA

Maintain Listening Watch on VTS Frequency

Respond when Hailed on VTS Frequency

Check in with VTS Sector Operator when entering Sector

(May Waive Vessel Traffic portion of VTS Advisory)

2002 – 2016 Transit Trends

15

Trend line represents 5 year moving average.

125000

130000

135000

140000

145000

150000

155000

160000

165000

170000

175000

20

02

20

03

20

04

20

05

20

06

20

07

20

08

20

09

20

10

20

11

20

12

20

13

20

14

20

15

20

16

Total Transits per Year

2002 – 2016 Transit Trends

16

Trend line represents 5 year moving average.

Vessel Casualties - Year to Year

17

153 Total Vessel Casualties

85 Ship

56 Tow

12 Other

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

20

05

20

06

20

07

20

08

20

09

20

10

20

11

20

12

20

13

20

14

20

15

20

16

Vessel Casualties per 1000 Transits

18

2016 High Water Events

MARCH, APRIL, MAY 2016

HEAVY RAINS - HIGH WATER

STRONG CURRENTS

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES

- IMPLEMENTED

- REFINED

VTS HIGH WATER ACTION PLAN

WWM WATERWAYS ACTION PLAN

Channel Closure Hours

19

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Fog 265 351.5 389.55 319.96 384.1 680.2 379

Dredge Ops 39.5 70.5 94.15 57.36 48.33 99.2 137.26

Incident 152.5 157.2 5.5 26 83.88 91.5 221.75

Heavy Wx 104.5 36.8 28.1 33.1 20 75.5 88.6

Other 0 17.5 111.35 33.83 59.26 70.5 84.25

Anc Vsls 25.75

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

Fog

Dredge Ops

Incident

Heavy Wx

Other

Anc Vsls

Vessels anchored in the channel due to reduced visibility.

Why A PCT?

No one of us is as smart as all of us.

Why a Port Coordination team (PCT)? • To Advise and Inform COTP

• Representatives of core constituencies consolidate information required for COTP to make informed risk-management decisions.

• Focus on port operational and infrastructure needs. – Establish shipping priorities

– Implement protocols

– Manage flow of vessel movements

– Preserve safety and security.

• Four generic scenarios: – Storm

– Fog

– Environmental Incident

– MARSEC III

How Does It Work?

Information Flow Entity responsibility varies with rationale. - Hurricane - Reports readiness for HURCON. - Accounts for ships alongside or at mooring - Develops post-passage reconstitution plan - MARSEC II / III - Implements requirements when ordered/reports attainment. PCC - Communicates with PCT. - Relays orders, directions, and requirements to facilities. - Coordinates data flow to PCT. - Articulates problems and concerns for PCT resolution. PCT - Develops recommendations to COTP on: - Draft management - Channel hazards - AtoN restoration priority - Prioritization of waterborne traffic to meet facility needs - Coordination with OFA’s for post-hurricane surveys

- Provides direction and tasking to PCCs

Convene Functionally Representatives of Constituencies

Port of Houston Authority Dredging & Marine Construction Houston Area Terminals Port of Texas City Port of Galveston Port of Freeport Offshore Port Gulf Intracoastal Canal Assn. Labor, Stevedores, Agents Houston Pilots Assoc. Galveston-Texas City Pilots Assoc. Oil Refiners Oil Terminals Chemical Carriers Non-VTS Users Chemical Facilities Galveston RR Bridge Harbor Tugs NOAA Navigation Services Customs and Border Protection NOAA National Weather Service Army Corps of Engineers Sector Commander/COTP MSU Texas City VTS Houston Galveston VTS Port Arthur Sector WWM Local Law Enforcement

--------------------------------------------- - Scheduled Conference Calls. - Information exchanged between and among representatives.

Sector Commander’s Game Plan

The Four Phases

• Get ready to “Hunker Down”

• Emergency Response / Search and Rescue

• “Assess the Mess”

• Prioritize and “Go to Work”

PCT Lines of Operation

The Four Phases

I – Empty the Port

II – Secure the Port

III - Validate the Port

IV - Re-open the Port

Ramp Up to Storm Arrival Hurricane

Condition

Five

Hurricane

Condition

Four

Hurricane

Condition

Three

Hurricane

Condition

Two

Hurricane

Condition

One

Hurricane

Condition

Five

01June –

30 Nov

< 72 hrs < 48 hrs < 24 hrs < 12 hrs Reset

Seasonal

Alert

Port Con

Whiskey

Port Con

Xray

Port Con

Yankee

Port Con

Zulu

Recovery

>34 kts/72 hrs >34 kts/48 hrs >34 kts/24 hrs >34 kts/12 hrs

Report Intent

to remain in

port

Cease

Off-shore

lightering

Remain

In port

process

Closed to

Inbound

Shipping

Final Mooring

Arrangements

Closed

Internal Moves

Until > 64 kts

< 12 hrs

Timings based upon arrival of gale force winds

Battle Rhythm

Part of a larger system for local/regional

emergency management.

Sequencing

• 2100 – Sector SITREP to D8 IMT

• 2300 – D8 SITREP to LANTAREA

• 0100 – LANT Area SITREP to Comdt

• 0200 – Commandant’s IMT Summary to DHS

• 0800 – Waterway Restoration Conf Call

• 0900 – PCT Conference Call

• 1000 – D8 IMT-Sectors Conference Call

• 1800 – Sector Units SITREP to Sector Cdr

• 2100 – Sector SITREP to D8 IMT

PCT Internal Battle Rhythm

• Roll Call of Participants

• Weather

• State of the Waterway

• Requirements of Industry

• Pilot/Towing Industry/USCG Coordination

• The Way Ahead – COTP Intent for next 24-48 hrs

• Issues for COTP Resolution

PCT Questions/Outcomes 1. What do we have to work with? 2. What do we have to do? 3. How are we going to do it?

PCT Questions/Outcomes 1. What do we have to work with? (Means) 2. What do we have to do? (Ends) 3. How are we going to do it? (Ways)

INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT LSHSC SUBCOMMITTEES

NAVIGATION OPERATIONS WATERWAY SAFETY AND UTILIZATION DREDGING AND MARINE CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OUTREACH PLACES OF REFUGE

WORKING GROUPS BARGE MOORING, FLEETING, PUSH-IN DISCUSSIONS

CAUSALITY MENHADEN AWARENESS CHEMICAL TANKER SCHEDULING OPTIMIZATION GREATER HOUSTON PORT BUREAU TRAFFIC EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE PCT / NRT-TJHRT / GIWW JOINT HURRICANE PROTOCOLS VTS ADVISORY ANCHORAGE WORKING GROUP

COLLABORATIVE OUTCOMES Anchorage Working Group Barge Lanes Barge Fleeting, Mooring, Push-In Discussions Bayport Turning Basin (Tow – Container Ship) Coordination Bluewater - Brownwater Interaction Engagements Bolivar Roads Inbound Alternate Route Brownwater University Cat I / Cat II Channel Obstruction Requests & Non-VTSA Obstruction Requests Dredge and Marine Construction Coordination GHPB Traffic Efficiency Working Group (Downs Committee) Harbor of Safe Refuge Handbook Places of Refuge Gantry Crane Awareness No Meeting/Overtaking in Bolivar Buoy Line Port Coordination Team San Jacinto River Mud Banks Push-in Enforcement Slack Line Reporting “Sharing Our Bay” Publication Special Traffic Management (Awkward Ships – Longer/Wider Tows Upper HSC) “Using the Houston Ship Channel” Publication Tank Vessel Efficiency Working Group (Pontikos Committee) VTS Advisory Working Group VTSA Expansion Proposals VTSA Redesign VTS Restricted Moorings Policy VTS Townhall and other Outreach

VTS Movements - 2016

37

Tug/Tow 139,271 0.81%

Ships 22,354 -3.42%

Other 5,229 -23.03%

Public 2,384 17.94%

Total Users 169,708 -7.07%

Ferries 107,967

Total 277,205

Questions?