Chopper delay frustrates port users

TRANSNET National Ports authority (TNPA) has still not announced which company has won the tender for the helicopter marine pilot transfer operation at the Port of Richards Bay and Durban.

TNPA had said the adjudication would be announced on 31 January, after the previous ‘shuttle service’ contract held by Acher Aviation expired.

Tenders were called for in October 2013.

Acher vacated the helipad premises at the end of January, on the understanding that the new service provider would take over the following day.

‘For that reason, they did not inhibit (prepare for prolonged downtime) one of the TNPA-owned helicopters has just been left outside the hanger,’ said an aviation source.

‘With three weeks now elapsed, there are fears that the aircraft could potentially be damaged.’

Meanwhile, port users say the delay in announcing the new operator is adding to existing concerns over the slower ship turnaround times being experienced.

Besides the delays caused by the power outage at the coal terminal, use of pilot transfer boats in place of the helicopter service had significantly impacted on all vessels, adding to the congestion at the outer anchorage where more than 40 ships are queued.

Whereas surveys of vessels offshore were easily done ‘in minutes’ using the chopper, it now takes almost two hours with the pilot boats, with transfers of pilots and surveyors often being done in dangerous conditions.

On Friday, the pilot boat was forced to turn back at the harbour entrance after encountering high swells at sea.

‘The result is that surveyors are now only inspecting the vessels at the dockside, which means extra time and extra risk as the condition of the vessel is unknown prior to berthing,’ said a member of the Port Users Committee (PUC).

The PUC had earlier voiced its concerns that delays in speedily reinstating a chopper transfer service would have a severe negative impact in shipping.

The Zululand Observer has a copy of a letter to this effect, addressed to the Port Manager, in which the PUC declared:

‘Industry and Port Users at large will see this a huge step backwards.

‘Pilot transfer aside, the lack of a helicopter service (inclusive of night rating) presents the many challenges, all of which were tabled as motivation to get a helicopter service at Richards Bay in the first place.’

The following main points were listed;

· Pilot transfer will be limited to fair weather and the ability of masters to provide a lee (not always possible due to anchorage congestion)

· Winter weather patterns are more likely to prohibit pilot transfer long before channel navigation may be reviewed on grounds of weather. This will create more congestion all round

· Pilot training for launch to ladder or ladder to launch transfer may be lacking, limiting effective pilot service in the short term.

· Marine service slots may not effectively be possible in the current 2-HOUR slot system, meaning fewer movements possible between shift changes.

· Prompt Sea Search and Rescue assistance will no longer be possible for want of waiting for a helicopter

‘We were assured the new operator would be in place by 1 April and that is now looking unlikely,’ said the PUC member.