SECTION (3) - ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE OF SHIPS
1.Arrival Notice
The Owner, Shipping Agent or the master of the Ship shall send arrival notice to the Harbour Master 48 hours before arrival to the Port. He should also inform the Harbour Master with the details of the Ship, its cargo, any hazardous cargo, cases of illness, and any defects which affects the vessel manoeuvrability.
2. Establishment of Communication
The master shall establish radio communication with Port control and request permission to enter the Port limits, at least four hours prior to the estimated time of arrival.
3.Flags and Lights
Each Ship, before entering Port Salalah, should display the following flags and lights:
(a) During daytime, the national flag of the Sultanate of Oman, along with the Ship’s national flag;
(b) Flag, (H) while a Pilot is on board;
(c) Flag (B), the international code indicating that the Ship is carrying hazardous goods, or during fuelling. During the night the red light should be on;
(d) Flag (Q), the international code for requesting the Port’s health officer to issue health clearance.
4. Ships Actions When Approaching The Port
All vessels approaching the port shall be guided by the advice of port control with regard to arrival details, pilot boarding, berthing or anchoring arrangements.
5. Release of Gas
All vessels shall release gas before entering the Port limits. Release of gas inside the Port is strictly prohibited.
6. Refusal To Berth or Moor A Vessel
The Harbour Master may refuse to berth or moor any vessel if he believes that such refusal would be in the interest of the Port.
7. It is strictly prohibited for any vessel to anchor in the channel or anywhere in the harbour.
8. Pilotage
All vessels of 200 Gross Register Tons (GRT) and above may not enter or leave the harbour or move inside the harbour without a Pilot as assigned by the Harbour Master unless authorized to do so by him.
9. Vessels of less than 200 GRT may enter or leave the harbour without a Pilot unless otherwise instructed by the Harbour Master.
10. Vessels shall reduce the speed and make lee to safely accommodate safe boarding of the Pilot.
11. The Pilot Ladder
Vessels requiring pilot shall have fully rigged pilot ladder confirming to the specifications in accordance with SOLAS convention.
12. The vessel shall provide a boat rope on the fore side of the pilot ladder.
13. Pilot Boarding and Disembarking From Vessels
Pilot shall board the inbound vessel at the pilot boarding grounds outside the channel and in the case of outbound vessels, he will board while the vessel is alongside and disembark outside the channel.
In case the vessel is at the anchorage, the pilot shall board before it enters the channel. A vessel at the anchorage area must not approach the channel unless it is authorized to do so by port control.
14. Before entering the port or conducting any movement, the master shall inform Port Control or the pilot about any deficiencies or defects onboard his vessel which may affect her manoeuvrability or steering.
15. Vessels leaving the port shall have priority of movement over vessels entering.
16. Dhows, launches and boats shall keep clear of other vessels and particularly vessels under tow.
17. Draft marks of all vessels calling at Port Salalah should be visible, clear, and prominent. Vessels should not be loaded over their marks or will be considered unseaworthy. Such unseaworthy vessels will not be allowed to enter or leave the port. Exception to vessels entering may be granted at the discretion of the Harbour Master
18. The anchors of each Ship should be ready at all times for an immediate use.
19. Navigation Lights
All vessels in Port either berthed, at the anchorage, or moving, should display necessary lights as indicated in the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea.
20. Safe Speed
All vessels shall proceed at Safe Speed inside the Port limits.
21. The maximum permissible speed for vessels inside the Harbour shall be 5 knots.
22. All vessels shall have an operational VHF radio for communication with Port control. This radio shall be manned at all times. Vessels shall seek permission from port control on VHF channel 12 prior to any movement. Additionally, Vessels shall be equipped with an operational radar which must be used when moving in restricted visibility or at night.
23. Boarding of Vessels
It is strictly prohibited for any person, other than the Pilot, the health officer or those having permission from the harbour master to board any vessel unless that vessel has been cleared by the relevant authorities.
24. Allocation of Berths
Vessels shall only occupy Berths as allocated by the harbour master.
25. Change of Berth or Shifting
The Harbour Master may change the berth of any vessel to another berth if he believes that this will be in the best interest of the Port. The vessel shall bear all the consequent costs, and this process shall be made under the responsibility of the master.
26. Vessel’s Mooring Ropes & Lines
All vessels calling at Port Salalah for whatever purpose shall use adequate mooring ropes and lines. These ropes and lines shall be in good condition and the Harbour Master may instruct the master of any vessel to change his mooring ropes or lines if they are in his opinion, not suitable for the purpose .
27. Ship’s Ladder
All vessels at the Port shall prepare a suitable ladder in accordance with international standards, which should be lit at night. In addition, if the situation warrants, the vessel shall prepare a boat rope at the front part of this ladder.
28. It is strictly prohibited for any vessel to moor or tie to any of the navigational buoys or any other navigational aid.
29. The master shall at all times maintain on board sufficient crew in accordance with his minimum safe manning certificate.
30. The master shall undertake to do the following:
(a) Allocate a watchman to continuously watch the vessel’s ladder.
(b) Fit rat guards on all the mooring ropes and lines.
(c) Fit emergency towing lines lowered from the sea side forward and aft of the vessel.
31. Vessel’s Insurance
All vessels calling Port Salalah should be covered by insurance covering all financial claims for cost of repairing damages caused to port facilities and any other financial claims including salvage insurance. All documents evidencing the insurance should be on board.
32. Vessel’s Registration Certificate and Other Documents
The master of any vessel that enters the Port shall maintain the registration certificate and all other vessel’s certificates and official documents for provision to the concerned authorities if required.
33. Engines Readiness and Trials
All vessels calling the port shall maintain engines at short notice for sea and do not start any maintenance or repair work which will affect the vessel’s notice for sea or carry out any trials without a prior written approval from the harbour master.
34. The master should immediately notify the Harbour Master of the inability of his vessel to manoeuvre due to any defect, maintenance or repair operations. If any master intends to carry out any major maintenance in the engines, he should submit a written application to the Harbour Master in order to obtain his approval before undertaking such maintenance. The Harbour Master should be informed of the development in the maintenance and the duration thereof.
35. Ship Stability
All vessels calling port Salalah must be at safe stability at all times
36. Objects Protruding From The Vessel
It is strictly prohibited for any vessel to have protruding objects that may hamper its movement or cause any damages to the quay or hamper the loading or unloading operation.
37. Lowering of Life Boats or any Other Boat
It is strictly prohibited for any vessel to lower its life boats or any other boats without obtaining prior approval from Port Control.
38. Each Ship which has completed its cargo operation should vacate the berth immediately unless the Harbour Master permits otherwise.
39. Pre Departure Notice
The master or the agent of any vessel intending to leave the Port should inform the Port control at least one hour prior to the departure time.
40. Port Clearance
It is prohibited for any vessel to leave the Port before payment of all charges and obtain a Port Clearance.
41. Before departure, the vessel should send the number of her Port Clearance to Port control via VHF channel 12.
42. Prolonged Port Stay For Vessels
Vessels are not allowed to stay in the port for prolong periods unless it is authorized to do so by the Harbour Master. The Port Authority has the right to take any action to remove such vessels and any other vessel which is considered hampering the port operation from the port.
43. Un Seaworthy Ships
The Port Authority shall, in co-ordination with the Ministry of Transport and Communications, detain any vessel which is considered to be un seaworthy until it is repaired.
44. Distress Signals
Unless in real emergency, vessels are strictly prohibited from sounding or raising any type of distress sound or signal including the testing of the vessel’s siren or whistles. For maintenance or testing of such sounds or signals, permission from Port Control is required.
45. Vessels In Distress
The master should immediately inform Port Control if his vessel is in distress. On being so informed or on observing the mishap, the Harbour Master or any other person authorised by him should immediately proceed to the vessel in distress and take command of all persons present and give such instructions and assign such duties to each person present as may be considered necessary for the preservation of life, the environment, the vessel, her cargo, and equipment. All charges relating to such action shall be borne by the vessel’s owner.
46. Any vessel sustains damage or be involved in any accident causing loss of life or serious injury to any person or damage to property, or if she receives any material damage which may affect her sea worthiness or efficiency, the master shall within 24 hours of the occurrence of the accident, deliver to the Harbour Master a full report of the accident or damage in writing.
47. Responsibility For Damages
The master is the person responsible for the berthing of his vessel. In case the vessel for whatsoever reason caused any damage to any persons, the berth or any of the Port or third party facilities, the vessel and its Owners shall be held responsible for repairing such damage and shall restore the damaged item to its previous condition. The Harbour Master may detain the vessel until completion of the procedures and fulfilment of the liabilities resulting from such damages.