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HSC Best Maritime Practices

pdf Tug Escort Less Than 1600GT Weather Work Group .pdf

pdf Tug Escort Severe Weather Work Group .pdf

pdf Navigation Work Group .pdf

pdf Ferry Operations Work Group .pdf

pdf Prevention Through People Work Group .pdf

The container ship Cosco Busan allided with the Oakland Bay Bridge November 7, 2007, releasing approximately 53,000 gallons of fuel oil. Shortly afterward Governor Schwarzenegger issued a directive to investigate and make recommendations on the navigational and operational aspects of the Cosco Busan allision. The HSC was assigned this task by OSPR. HSC Work Groups discussed the issues at length, and based on facts known of the incident at the time, developed recommendations to improve vessel transit in the Bay. The findings and recommendations developed by the Harbor Safety Committee in light of the allision covered a number of topics, some of which are now included in the Harbor Safety Plan.

Additionally, prior to the Cosco Busan incident, OSPR directed the five Harbor Safety Committees in California to adopt Best Maritime Practices for each harbor to ensure that vessels in transit will be aware of the guidelines of operation in California harbors, to be incorporated into each Harbor Safety Plan. During 2008 and early 2009, the S.F. Harbor Safety Committee developed a number of Best Maritime Practices (“BMPs”) for safe navigation in the San Francisco Bay Region. These guidelines, summarized below, provide important information necessary for safe, reliable and environmentally sound vessel movements in and around San Francisco Bay.

LARGE VESSELS and TUGS with TOWS >1600 Gross Tons

Large Vessels and Tugs with Tows > 1600 GT: Speed Restrictions on San Francisco Bay

Large Vessels and Tugs with Tows > 1600 GT: Guidelines for Navigating in Reduced Visibility

Large Vessels and Tugs with Tows > 1600 gross tons: Guidelines for Navigating in Severe Weather

TUGS with TOWS <1600 Gross Tons

Tugs with Tows <1600 Gross Tons: Guidelines for Navigating in Reduced Visibility

Tugs with Tows <1600 Gross Tons: Guidelines for Navigating in Severe Weather

ESCORT TUGS

Emergency Training for Tug Escorting

SAN FRANCISCO BAR PILOTS

S.F. Bar Pilots: Use of Portable Navigation Units

SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS - Ferries

Small Passenger Vessels - Ferries: Recommended Guidelines for Navigating in Reduced Visibility and Severe Weather

Passenger Ferry Traffic Routing Protocol

Communication Procedures to Improve Safety During Bunker Barge Transfer Operations Alongside Container Vessels

Diagram Key

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1

Central Bay and South San Francisco Bay

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2

North Channel and Southampton Shoal Channel

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3

San Pablo Strait Channel

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4

San Pablo Bay and Mare Island Strait

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5

Ferry Building Approach/Departure Zone

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Ferry Building Maneuvering Area

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Source and Contact Information

Diagrams are screen print files from vector-based electronic nautical charts (ENCs).

Additional lines and labels were added to the screen print filesfor emphasis and clarity.

For more information contact:
Scott Humphrey    
Training Director
U.S. Cost Guard / Sector San Francisco / Vessel Traffic Service
Phone: (415)
Email: scott.humphrey@uscg.mil


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