Launch Services Freeport Harbor
Revised February 9, 2005
Subject to Change

Requirements

Purpose

This document describes requirements and procedures for delivering supplies to vessels berth at marine terminals in Freeport TX. The objective of this document is to establish a method for controlling activities at ships using the terminal facility through early identification of vendors and service companies. This procedure is intended to ensure the safety of the vessel and terminal.

Security

The objective the following procedures is to allow deliveries to ships in the harbor area without requiring intervention by either terminal personnel, USCG personnel, or security personnel to verify the content of cargo delivered to ships.  These procedures create a situation where launch services can be assured that deliveries are in fact initiated by the agent and are from valid vendors.

 

Procedure

·        Ship’s Agent will initiate contact with Launch Service provider via e-mail, or fax, as soon as it becomes known a launch boat will be required for deliveries/landings – a minimum of 24 hours notice is required.  We are required to notify the terminal 24 hours in advance so allow for this. Ship’s Agent must supply Launch Service written list of vendors and general cargo description when initiating launch order Emergency launches, those with less than 24 hours notice, must also be approved by the terminal. Verbal launch requests will not be allowed.

·        E-mail address is:  launch@freeportlaunch.com

·        Fax: 979-233-1629

·        Launch Service will contact terminal representative via e-mail as soon as practical of the scheduled time of arrival of launch. 24 hours advance notice is generally acceptable notification time. Every attempt must be made to eliminate late notification of launch boat deliveries. Late notification could result in denial of the service to vessels at the Seaway terminal

·        Ships Agent must supply terminal with the identity of Launch Service representative who will attend the launch transfer via gate list inclusion. (Up to 4 launch service personnel may be included on the gate list.).

·        Vendors will provide Launch Service a written manifest or cargo description, by fax or electronic mail prior to delivery. Launch service will verify list against actual delivered cargo.  We recommend vendors seal the containers or vehicles upon departure with a tamperproof seal and provide launch service the seal serial number via fax or e-mail. Seals should remain intact and with consistent seal numbers upon arrival at launch service location for delivery to launch barge. Deliveries not arriving in a sealed container or vehicle will be subject to much more diligent inspection criteria, and may delay delivery to the vessel. ANY DELIVERY ARRIVING AT LAUNCH SERVICE WITH TAMPERED SEALS OR INCONSISENT NUMBERING SYSTEM WILL BE REJECTED, AND TERMINAL NOTIFIED. At MARSEC level Two, USCG will be notified of any evidence of tampering.

·        Vendor must notify Launch Service if shipment will arrive by transport other than vendor’s vehicle. Transporters not on list supplied by Agent (or identified by Vendor) will be REJECTED.

·        Deliveries to Launch Service that are not on the vendor list supplied by the Ship’s Agent WILL BE REJECTED.

·        Launch representative will make contact with terminal operator when entering facility to present manifest and launch crew list.

·        Launch vessel will NOT approach dock or ship until instructed by coordinator. (If requested by facility, launch will approach landing area for inspection of cargo terminal personnel.)

·        Launch activities will be restricted to aft cranes on vessels. Exceptions that require amidships cranes MUST be approved by facility operator prior to delivery.

·        Launch vessel shall not work under mooring lines .

·        If launch delivery requires more than one trip, launch coordinator will notify terminal operator of intentions and repeat above steps as needed for entering the facility.

Notes:

Seaway does NOT permit the use of a midship crane while cargo arms are connected. Loads requiring the midship crane should be scheduled between discharge completion and departure.

Seaway Berth #2 requires the use of a Starboard side crane while Berth #3, requires a port side crane. Check with your ship to determine if they have a crane on the water side of the ship. If not, request the opposite berth or plan to use the midship crane.