Boca Grande (VEBOC)

The transfer station is a converted self-unloading 150,000DWT FCT with a storage capacity of 110,000t and a discharge rate of 6,000tph. Anchored in deepwater (approx 40m) it is favourably placed to tranship iron ore from Puerto Ordaz, where the home of its operator Consorcio SMT Silva CA, Venezuela is based.

Tropical.

Boca Grande is floating transfer facility situated in the Serpiente Strait, NW of the Delta Amacuro, Venezuela.

Offshore : LOA 240.8m, beam 38.0m, draught 16.8m, 88,151DWT.

Upon arrival at the Transfer Station area, vessels shall, unless otherwise instructed, anchor with at least 8 shackles of chain in the water. Anchorage areas suggested are between: 09°56.7'N and 09°57.5'N; 061°37.7'W and 061° 38.8'W or between 09°55.8'N and 09°57.5'N; 061°32.7'W and 061°34.7'W. The Transfer Station is fixed by a trileg permanent mooring system with good holding ground. To avoid interference, vessels shall not use their anchors in a circle of 1,000m diameter with its centre located at the bow of the Transfer Station.

There is no fairway or channel to approach the anchorage.

BA 481, 1045. Admiralty Pilot NP7A, NP286(7).

Compulsory. The pilot will board at Puerto Ordaz or at Serpents Mouth by launch or helicopter. The export vessel must utilise a Docking Pilot who will board the vessel at Puerto Ordaz or at Serpents Mouth by launch or helicopter. When instructed by "Boca Grande" via VHF Ch 16 or 09, a vessel must heave up its anchor, and prepare to receive the Docking Pilot. A vessel must have a good lee on port side where its combination ladder should be safely rigged at all times, in compliance with SOLAS regulations.

A Racon beacon is installed at "Boca Grande" Fl (1) W 10s 20M.

The following restrictions are enforced for loading at the Transfer Station: ..... 1. Maximum vessel height from the water line to top, or railing at vessel side, or top of hatch coamings: 17.2m. 2. Maximum distance between centres of extreme holds: 216m. 3. Maximum beam: 55m, if distance between centres of extreme hatches is less than 187m and 52m, if the distance is greater, up to 216m. 4. Maximum vessel airdraught: 17.2m. 5. Vessels must arrive with the ballast that can be safely discharged only during a period of 24 running hours. Master's are requested to coordinate ballast discharge with the Transfer Station Master. 6. Vessels dock with starboard side against port side of the Transfer Station, separated by large pneumatic type fenders attached to the Transfer Station. Vessels must warp alongside the Transfer Station using their own winches/hawsers. Mooring hawsers will be worked by powered winch drums and will preferably be made of synthetic fibre. If they are made of wire, a 30m long nylon shock pendant will be provided on each hawser, with a soft eye on one end and the other end connected via a special shackle (Tonsberg or Mandel) to the steel wire. ..... 7. A docking pilot will be flown by helicopter to the Transfer Station and board the vessel by launch. 8. The Transfer Station uses belt discharging systems fed by gravity. Final transfer of cargo to the vessel is via a travelling shiploader with a 36m boom. The boom can be slewed outboard 100° from the centreline and the shiploader travels 187m along the port side, eliminating the need for any shifting of the vessel while loading. A weight meter is installed in the loading system to establish the B/L figures. 9. It is not required to have an undocking pilot onboard when undocking. Instructions will be given from the Transfer Station.

Tide effect from the nearby Macareo River is present but is generally mild. When experienced, vessel's interaction may increase and the mooring watch must be particularly diligent at these times.

Not available. Accepted vessels are required to dock and undock in weather conditions considered safe by the Master of the Transfer Station. The responsibility for the safe execution of docking operations remains with the Master of the export vessel. Berthing tug assistance is not available at the Transfer Stations site. The export vessel shall dock with its starboard side against the port side of the Transfer Station. Large pneumatic fenders are attached along port side of the Transfer Station to ensure smooth berthing and safe mooring.

Current and trade winds run constantly to the W, reaching 5kts at times. This reduces yawing, although during rainy season (May-Sep) the outflow from the Macareo River may amplify the yawing to more than 90°.

BOCA GRANDE (VENEZUELA) 9°56.70'N 61°34.82'W ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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VHF: Ch 9, 16.

All ship's certificates must be valid. The following documentation is required upon arrival: ..... Copies Harbour Master: 1. 2. 3. a. Official number b. International Tonnage Certificate c. Safety Construction Certificate d. Certificate of Registry e. Safety Equipment Certificate f. Oil Pollution Certificate g. Load Line Certificate h. Radio Telegraphy Certificate i. Life Raft Certificate 4. 5. 1 Sanitary (Health): 1. 2. 1 3. 1 4. 1 National Guard: 1. 1 2. 1 3. 1 4. 1 5. 1 1 Customs: 1. 2 2. 2 3. 2 4. 1 5. 1 Immigration: 1. 1 2. 1 Customs and Harbour Master Clearance are prepared and delivered onboard by agent prior to vessel's departure. Upon completion of loading, a Bill of Lading for the quantity loaded will be handed over for Master's signature. This Bill of Lading will be prepared at the Station and the quantity will be based upon the weight meter reading. Statement of Facts at Transfer Station is issued and signed by seller and countersigned by Master of export vessel or his agent. Draught surveys must be carried out during and after completion of loading. Conditions may not always be ideal for reading draughts, but all efforts should be made to read the fore and aft draughts as accurately as possible. For the draught survey, subject to Master of export vessel's requirements, the Transfer Station will be able to offer the services of the tug "Moriche" at a cost of US$400.0 per service.

ETA to be advised 72 hours in advance to the Transfer Station via agent, CVG Ferrominera Orinoco CA or directly to the Transfer Station by Fax: +58 414 994 8560. Then ETA to be notified 24, 12 and 6 hours prior to arrival. Should the Master fail to give the required ETA notices, the vessel may be kept waiting for the same period as that of the longest notice required and not sent. Masters shall send their cargo loading sequence via agent or CVG Ferrominera Orinoco CA at least 24 hours prior to ETA and also upon arrival, pass a written copy to Master of "Boca Grande".

Venezuelan flag should be displayed once moored. Vessels not complying will receive summons from the National Guard, which could result in cargo stoppages.

Arrival and departure draught must be submitted to Master of Transfer Station prior to commencement of loading. These draughts, along with other important information, should be submitted in writing in the form provided by the Docking Pilot (export vessel data). Export vessels nominated should have clear and unobstructed holds and be suitable for loading iron ore. Each vessel must be clean to receive iron ore on presentation at the Transfer Station for loading. Vessel's engines should remain on standby for the entire operation, and a close watch must be kept on moorings, paying particular attention to chaffing points. The export vessel is responsible for warping itself alongside the Transfer Station using its own winches/hawser. Mooring hawser is to be worked by powered winch drums and should preferably be of synthetic fibre. If it is wire, a nylon shock pendant, 30m long, is to be provided on each hawser with a soft eye on one end, and the other end connected via a special shackle (Tonnsberg or Mandel shackle) to the steel wire. Normally the shock pendant is to be outside the chock but at times it may be necessary to bring the special shackle link inside the chock, when hawser is slack, and then tension it. The mooring must always be acceptable to the Master of the Transfer Station. Before contacting the fenders, the export vessel will receive instruction from the Transfer Station for proper fore and aft positioning to ensure complete reach of the hatches by the shiploader boom. It is the responsibility of the export vessel to pass suitable lines and any additional mooring lines as may become necessary under changing conditions. Also, to attend all mooring lines to maintain the assigned fore and aft position of the vessel and to hold the vessel firmly against the fender at all times. It is the export vessel's responsibility to ensure that all the mooring equipment such as winches, fairleads, rollers, and others are in good working condition at all times while alongside the Transfer Station. Vessels must be ready to carry out the docking manoeuvre to moor on the port side of the Transfer Station, with enough lines distributed in the following manner: Seven (7) good bow lines and two (2) breast lines on the forecastle. Two (2) springs on main deck forward Two (2) springs on main deck aft. Three (3) stern lines and one (1) breast line aft. Total of 17 lines. Vessels should also ensure that a good supply of heaving lines and messengers are available fore/aft and on the main deck where spring lines winches are located. The standard mooring pattern requires two headlines to be passed first, followed by forward springs, aft springs, and fore breast lines. Ropes must always be sent one by one and long messenger lines should be used. Current and vessel's interaction sometimes makes this operation difficult. This procedure and ropes arrangement may be changed by the Docking Pilot to better suit prevailing conditions. When deploying moorings, use of the port bow fairleads should be avoided because of the increased chafing and eventual parting of lines. Areas of fairleads, which are in contact with the lines, should be kept well covered with grease. Once secured alongside, ensure that a constant mooring watch is maintained and all lines are evenly tight and properly trimmed. Readjustment of moorings may be required during the loading process, which should generally be done in the morning and before the afternoon breezes. Final mooring arrangement must in all respects be acceptable to the Station's Master. The export vessel's anchors are not to be used during the approach or berthing manoeuvre due to the danger of fouling the Transfer Station's mooring system. Undocking instructions to the export vessel will be given from the Station. Unless otherwise arranged, the export vessel should depart from the Transfer Station after completion of loading and cargo documentation. Releasing and casting off the export vessel's mooring lines is under the direction of the Transfer Station. Weather contingencies: In the event of bad weather it may be necessary to cease topping-up operations and separate, to prevent damage to vessel or to the Transfer Station. The Master of "Boca Grande" as co-ordinator will decide when to stop the operation.

NOR is tendered in accordance with Charter Party, either upon arrival at anchorage or when all fast at the Station. NOR may be given at any time of day or night to the Station via VHF Ch 16.