Dear Master We would like to welcome you to our service, and wishing a trouble free voyage to everyone on board. Since we will be acting as your agent during this time, please find below some useful information and suggestions related to navigation through Turkish Straits (Dardanelles Strait+Marmara Sea+Bosphorus Strait), please pay special attention to our message, especially the parts that related to your voyage. a) REPORTING: The Turkish Straits Vessel Traffic Service Centers (VTSC) is operated by the Coastal Safety and Salvage Administration and having authority to run the traffic thru Turkish Straits which are observed by VTSC on Cameras and Radars located along the both straits. Therefore, we strongly recommend all the masters to fulfill VTSC requirements, local and international rules to avoid any delays and fines. All the vessels must submit SP-1 report to the VTSC thru ship agent at least 72 hours prior to entrance into TS. Therefore, please send your SP-1 report to us/agent immediately. Sample of SP-1 report is given below. ANNEX-A NAME OF REPORT FROM TO : SP1 : SHIP/AGENT/OWNER : VTS CENTER - CANAKKALE + ISTANBUL SP 1 REPORT FORM: Designator Information Required A SHIP'S NAME, CALL SIGN, FLAG, IMO No, MMSI No B DATE AND TIME (UTC) C REPORTING POSITION (LAT/LONG) F CONTINUOUS MANOEUVRING SPEED (in knots including decimals) G PORT OF DEPARTURE H DATE, TIME AND POINT OF ENTRY INTO VTS AREA (UTC) I PORT OF DESTINATION J REQUEST PILOT (YES/NO)ISTANBUL STRAIT/MARMARA SEA/CANAKKALE STRAIT O FORWARD AND AFT DRAFT, MAX AIR DRAFT (AT THE ENTERANCE) P CARGO (TYPE AND QUANTITY) (PLS INFORM IF THE CARGO EXCEEDING SHIP LIMITS/SIDES/EDGES) Q DEFECTS/DAMAGE/DEFICIENCIES/OTHER LIMITATING REASONS R DESCRIPTION OF DANGEROUS, NUCLEER AND POLLUTANT GOODS(UN NO/NAME/CLASS/QUANTITY) T SHIP'S AGENT TAX NO / MASTERS NAME+SURNAME: U SHIP'S TYPE / SIZE / :... LOA / BEAM / DWT / GRT / NRT / DOUBLE or SINGLE HULL/ BUILT YEAR :... W NUMBER OF CREW /PASSENGER ON BOARD :... /... X P&I CLUB CERTIFICATE OF ENTRY, CLUB NAME + POLICY NO. + VALID FROM... TO... DATES LAST PSC DATE AND PLACE : R.O.B OIL/FUEL(FO/DO/LO) AT THE TIME OF ENTRY TO TRAFFIC SEPARATION SCHEME:... PLS FILL THE A/M FORM AND RETURN TO US/AGENT 72HRS PRIOR YOUR ARRIVAL AT THE TURKISH STRAITS ENTRANCE. Any change on SP-1 report must be updated immediately thru the ship agent. Ship masters must submit SP-2 report to VTSC 20 nm and then 5 nm prior to the entry into Istanbul and Canakkale Straits on VHF. SP 2 REPORT FORM: Designator Designator A SHIP'S NAME, CALL SIGN, FLAG, IMO NO, MMSI NO D SHIP'S POSITION (BEARING AND DISTANCE) H DATE AND TIME OF ENTRY INTO THE TURKISH STRAITS J REQUEST PILOT (YES OR NO) ISTANBUL STRAIT / MARMARA SEA / CANAKKALE STRAIT
T Q SHIP'S AGENT / REPRESENTATIVE DEFECTS/DAMAGE/DEFICIENCIES/OTHER LIMITATING REASONS Reference points for position "D": Turkeli Lighthouse Position : 41 14.10' N / 029 06.70' E Ahirkapi Lighthouse Position : 41 00.40' N / 028 59.20' E Gelibolu Lighthouse Position : 40 24.60' N / 027 41.00' E Mehmetcik Lighthouse Position : 40 02.70' N / 026 10.50' E Position Report Vessels 20 meters in length and over that will enter the Straits of Istanbul and Canakkale, when within 5 nautical miles from the entry to the Strait, shall provide a Position Report containing information identifying themselves to the TSVTS sector at the entry. POSITION REPORT FORM: Designator Information Required A SHIP'S NAME D POSITION Call Point Report Vessels 20 meters in length and over in passage through the Istanbul and Canakkale Straits, should provide the Call Point Report via VHF/RT, to the concerned TSVTS sector, at the positions designated. These positions are the entry and exit points of the TSVTS. Furthermore, vessels should provide this report via VHF/RT channel to the new sector at each change of sector. CALL POINT REPORT FORM: Designator Information Required A SHIP'S NAME D POSITION Vessel must be at the entrance of both straits exactly on the time given and scheduled by VTSC. Otherwise, passage of your vessel may be postponed by VTSC, which will cause delay on your passage and possible fine issued by VTSC. Position of the vessel must be updated to VTSC sector by sector as details given below: Sector Name and sign VHF Channel * Dardanelles (From South to North) (From North to South visa-versa); Sector Kumkale Ch. 13 Sector Nara Ch. 12 Sector Gelibolu Ch. 11 * Bosphorus (From South to North) (From North to South visa-versa); Sector Kadikoy Ch. 14 Sector Kandilli Ch. 13 Sector Kavak Ch. 12 Sector Turkeli Ch. 11 Please refer your navigation charts and TSVTS Guide for sector limits. General Calling channel of VHF : CH : 16 Transit Pilot Channel : CH : 71 Meteorological Purpose : CH : 67 Agent contact : CH : 16 Pilot Boarding Points : Please refer to the international charts and TSVTS Guide for pilot boarding points. We also recommend you to contact both VTSC and pilots on VHF to get the correct pilot boarding position, which may be changed depending on the current weather and traffic condition thru Turkish Straits. Due to safety of the pilots, pilot station to be contacted how to arrange the boarding of the pilots. Customary practice, if vessel s freeboard exceeds more than 9 m, ship must prepare the combination of accommodation & pilot ladder, otherwise pilot may refuse to board on board. Anchorage positions to be determined by VTSC. Therefore all masters must inform all anchorage movements to the related VTSC at least one hour prior to action. Please keep into consideration following important point when drop anchor at Istanbul roads. WHEN THERE IS BUNKER SUPPLY OR DE-SLOPPING ETC, THE VTS KADIKOY SECTOR TO BE INFORMED AT LEAST ONE HOUR PRIOR TO TANKER ANCHORAGE AREA C (CHARLIE) FOR PRE-ARRIVAL INFORMATION AND BUNKERING ETC DETAILS. THEREFOE IT IS ESSENTIAL VESSEL TO DROP ANCHOR ONLY AT LOCATION GIVEN BY THE VTS SECTOR. KINDLY PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO C5 (CHARLIE 5) AS SHOWN DEPTHS IN MANY MAJOR CHARTS DIFFERENT THAN THE PRESENT DRAFT WHICH CAUSED SOME VESSELS GROUNDED IN THE PAST.
ALSO UTMOST ATTENTION TO BE PAID TO THE OTHER VESSELS AT THE ANCHORAGE AREA SINCE THE ANCHORAGE AREA IS OPEN TO WIND THAT MAY CAUSE COLLUSION RISK WITH OTHERS. ALSO PLEASE BE ADVISED OF THE FOLLOWING IN RESPECT OF PILOT LADDER USAGE: -ALL PARTIES ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO PAY UTMOST ATTENTION TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SOLAS REGULATION 23 AS WELL AS THE IMO RESOLUTION A.889 (21) ON PILOT TRANSFER ARRANGEMENTS, TO IMPROVE THE LEVEL OF SAFETY AND PREVENT FURTHER ACCIDENTS. -IN PARTICULAR, SHIPOWNERS, SHIPMANAGERS AND SHIP AGENTS ARE ADVISED TO REMIND ALL SHIPS ONCE MORE FOR STRICT COMPLANCE WITH SOLAS REGULATION 23 AND IMO RESOLUTION A.889 (21) IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE IMO REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE PILOT LADDER CONSTRUCTION, TEST, MATERIAL, MAINTENANCE, STOWAGE AND RIGGING ARE BEING COMPLIED WITH. Overtaking: Vessels shall not overtake another vessel in both straits unless there is an absolute necessity, which must be reported to the related VTSC by the masters to get permission prior to commencement of overtaking. We recommend masters to inform the overtaking to VTSC in English to avoid any confusion between pilots and VTSC by talking in Turkish Language. Sanitary Inspection: Sanitary inspection takes place at the entrance of Dardanelles (from south to north voyage), and at the entrance of Bosphorus (From north to south voyage). Sanitary Inspection takes only couple of minutes and vsl must slowdown during the sanitary clearance and following documents must be prepared in advance. 1- Copy of International Tonnage Certificate (1969) (1 set) 2- Copy of Valid Deratting Certificate (if still valid) (1 set) 3- Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (1 set) 4- Crew list (2 sets) 5- Maritime Declaration of Health (1 set) 6- Copy of the ship registry certificate (1 set) 7- Medical certificate (if any) (1 set) 8- Last Port Clearance and last 10 port calls list (1 set) 9- Cargo manifest (2 sets) Important : It is kindly requested that one authorized crew must be ready at the gangway with the above listed document copies and ship s stamp to sign the clearance for sanitary inspection. Failing to meet the sanitary inspection requirements/documentation/false declaration and even keeping sanitary boat waited for docs/formalities etc, vsl will be charged fines(*) by local authorities. (*) if vessel is not ready and causes delay/wait for sanitary boat for documentation and formalities (even 10-15 min.), sanitary boat might leave the vsl without completion of inspection/formalities and authorities charge penalty/fines 4 times higher than free pratique sanitary dues. FYI, sometimes sanitary department may not board the vessel with some reasons including dense workload or emergency causes, in that case, your sanitary inspection to be done during your southbound passage at the entrance of Bosphorus. Sanitary Department VHF Channel : 16 In case of need, please contact either the agent or VTSC for further information. We also strongly suggest the masters to follow up the instructions of sanitary inspectors, and sanitary inspection boats especially at the entrance of both straits. Otherwise it may cause unnecessary fines to the vessels that obligatory to pay to the local authorities. In the past we observed some confusion between pilots and sanitary officers, that may create some trouble to the ship, in return as the official fine. Therefore, we request all the masters to contact related VTS Centers, and Sanitary dept, to be sure about the clearness of the orders from the pilots. Sanitary Department also fines the vessel that do not hoist the yellow flag during daylight and not showing red(up) & white (below) lights before inspection boats come on board for the pratique. The ships are required to turn of red+white AIS System: According to SOLAS Section 5, Regulation No:19, Article No:2.4, All vessels must have AIS (Automatic Identification System) on board and working properly all the time providing correct info to the authorities. Otherwise VTSC will not allow vessel to enter the Turkish Straits. Therefore we recommend that AIS must be "ON" all the time during passing thru Turkish Straits, and in Turkish Territorial Waters which is controlled by VTS Centers. Otherwise Local authorities may fine and delay those vessels that fail to fulfill the SOLAS.
B) DOCUMENTATION REQUEST: Please fax/email us the followings ASAP : (Fax No:+90-212-2513173 or +90-212-2491708) - ITC (1969) C) CREW CHANGE: For transit vessels, all embarking and disembarking persons must carry valid civil passport and seaman book. For children less than 18 years old are not accepted as seamen even though they have valid seaman book. Person having no valid seaman book is considered as passenger by local authorities, those people may also embark and disembark the vessel (except dangerous cargo carriers) during the passage, in that case sanitary and light dues are calculated based on free pratique tariff, which makes those charges much higher than transit tariff. For dangerous cargo carriers, having no allowance of passengers in their ITC (1969) are not allowed embark or debark any person without valid seamen book. After embarking and disembarking, crew on board and crew list must fit the requirements of safety manning certificate. Documents required for crew change - Crew List : 6 Copies - Store List : 2 Copies - Cargo Manifest : 2 copies Crew change takes place at the southern part of Bosphorus, without any delay, and takes about 15 minutes. Please also fax copies of following docs one day before vessel's arrival to Istanbul, in order to get the permissions without any delay. - Minimum safe manning certificate - Safety equipment certificate - Safety equipment certificate - FORM E - Crew list - Seaman book copy (First page) of all Disembarking Crew members - ISPS Certificate - Continuous Synopsis Recorder certf. - Register Certificate - Class Certificate We also need the nationality of embarking and debarking crew far in advance, in order to get visa approval from local immigration. FYI, Turkish Visa may not be granted at the border for some nationalities by Turkish Immigration, thus details info in advance is crucial. Due to extra formalities and longer distances, crew change will cost much higher at the northern entrance of Bosphorus and Dardanelles Strait than Southern entrance of Bosphorus-Istanbul. D) SUPPLY: We can arrange all kind of supply including bunker/fresh water, spare part/ba chart + mail, CTM delivery, slop/sludge/garbage removal without any delay. Small deliveries can take place right before/after the passage at the southern entrance/exit of Bosphorus during navigation. Bunker, Fresh Water, big volume spare part deliveries, and slop/sludge removal takes place at the southern anchorage area of Bosphorus Strait. Dardanelles Strait has also new facility that can be utilized for liquid waste removal, and bunkering purpose. Important: Slops & Sludge removal service provided by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and need an advance notice with details to pass same inquiry to the service supplier to confirm the availability of the service. Our Agent Boat stands by on VHF Channel 16. All the deliveries to the vessel must be addressed as; Master of m/v... c/o Dabkovich Maritime Agencies S.A. Rihtim Caddesi Yuva Sok Osman Balkan Ismerkezi No:1 Karakoy 34425 Istanbul - Turkey Phone : +90-212-249 1708 Cargo should be marked as ships spare/supply in transit and copy of the invoice must accompany the delivery. In case of any spare part or deliveries please send us information in advance during the weekdays working hours to enable us to apply to the customs authority for the clearance. If vessel deliveries any spares or package etc. non-commercial invoice to be issued by the master to be handed over to the boarding agent. E) POLLUTION: Turkish authorities are very strict on pollution issue. Washing, cleaning, painting, blasting, chipping etc. outside/inside of the vessel that may cause spillage in the water, de-
ballasting, spillage, littering are strictly forbidden in Turkish Territorial Waters. Please pay much attention in this issue, especially when bunkering. We recommend all the captains to contact us immediately, when environmental pollution agency boat boards the vessel. Environmental pollution fine must be paid in cash or banking transfers, in order to get the sailing permission of the vessel. We also recommend all the masters to watch carefully about the pollution surrounding them, in order to avoid any accusation from the local authorities especially in Istanbul anchorage area. F) EMERGENCY: According to the local regulations and practice VTSC do not allow vessels having technical defect/difficulty/failure/breakdown/etc passing thru Turkish Straits. VTSC requires the technical failure to be repaired, Class report about her seaworthiness and Port State Control to be conducted on board before entering the straits. As the result, we expect delay on those vessels. Please contact and liaise with agent immediately for further details in case of any technical failure, to avoid any further complicated issues. PSC is free of charge for the first visit only, and in case any further visit to the vessel required Authorities charges for each call based on official tariff. As per local practice and regulations VTSC is authorized to order tugboat assistance/towage service, pilots (On ships account) in case of any technical failure, collusion, grounding, accident etc during the passage thru Turkish Straits. If Vessel fails within the navigational area VTSC allows maximum 2 hours to recover the failure by the ship, otherwise may order towage service. In case of collusion or grounding, immediate diver s technical report required. Towage and Salvage is under the monopoly of Turkish State Salvage Company which applies TOF (Turkish Open Forms). All the masters are obligated to inform VTSC in case emergency immediately, and since different procedures are applied based on the location of the incidents, local agent to be contacted immediately for further procedures. G) OTHER GENERAL APPLICATIONS: Due to local regulations, any kind of contact (except sanitary inspection and pilotage) to Cypriot Flag/owned/managed vessels is forbidden by local authorities. Dangerous cargo carriers over 200 meters are subject to day time passage thru Turkish Straits, and during the passage of daylight restricted vessels, the passage of other vessels may be delayed/postponed by TSVTSC. Overloaded vessels are prohibited to transit through Turkish Straits. Air Draft restriction : 58 meters (Over 53.99 m vessels are subject to special permission) LOA Restriction : 299.99 meters (over 300 meters are subject to special permission) Draft Restriction : N/A for vessels, but draft more than 15 meters may require early application than usual practice (SP1 Report is required 96 hours advance). P&I Club Coverage : (For over 500 GT Vsls) must cover salvage, wreck removal, pollution, and damage to the environment, damage to the collided objects, injuries and death of third party persons etc. Transit Anchorage : Vessels are allowed to stay at the anchorage only for 48 hours (unless ordered by VTSC). Staying at the anchorage more than 72 hours are subject to anchorage fee. IMCO Cargo : Vessels containing dangerous cargo under IMO IMDG code 1-2-3-5.1-5.2-6.2-7 and with dangerous gas are considered as dangerous cargo carrier, therefore VTSC treats those vessels as tanker with IMCO 3 cargo on board which may result some additional condition during passage, including daylight restricted passage thru Dardanelles and Bosphorus. Please contact agent for further details. It is suggested to contact VTS Authorities for proper anchorage as per applicable rules/regulations and under water natural gas, electricity, fresh water, telephone etc pipelines that may be damaged by ship s anchor and maneuverings. H) UNDERWATER TUNNEL CONSTRUCTIONS AT ISTANBUL: Due to tunnel construction at the southern entrance of Bosphorus, since the beginning of August 2005, only one way traffic is permitted at Bsophorus Strait and it is strongly recommended by VTS authority to take pilot for Bosphorus transit and to pay extra attention during the passage of Bosphorus and strictly follow the instructions of VTS Centers and pilots (If pilot is on board) Tunnel construction will be on the bottom of the sea at the southern entrance of Bosphorus. The tunnel is built for railway + subway constructions. Due to dredging work, the traffic thru Bosphorus re-organized by VTS Center as one way and subject traffic arrangements causing delays thru Turkish Straits. Therefore we recommend all the vessels to fulfill the instructions of VTS Centre. I) SPEEDING : Speed thru Turkish Strait is 10 knots against the shore. We strongly recommend ships to advise VTS sectors directly, in case over speeding requested by pilots or other authorities. Because, since pilots and VTS communicate in Turkish, Master of the vessel should get an other
confirmation directly from VTS in English for their approval to over speed thru Turkish Straits when it is needed for the safety. Over speeding without the approval of VTS is subject to fine and delays. Vessels having speed less then 4 knots/hr to the ground are subject to the escort tug boat assistance service on ships account. J) IMPORTANT NOTICE OF THE AUTHORITIES FOR THE UNDERWATER GAS PIPELINE: ZCZC DA99 041000 UTC MARCH 08 ISTANBUL TURK RADIO NAVTEX N/W NR: 117/08 SEA OF MARMARA 1. NATURAL GAS PIPE LINE ALL VESSELS INCLUDING FISHING BOATS REQUESTED TO NAVIGATE WITH CAUTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH TSVTS WARNINGS AND REQUESTED TO AVOID ANCHORING OR TRAWLING,UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE IN AREA BOUNDED BY FOLLOWING POSITIONS. 40 33 24 N 26 58 39 E (SHORE) 40 32 03 N 26 59 12 E 40 26 42 N 27 06 38 E (SHORE) 40 25 45 N 27 04 36 E (SHORE) 40 31 15 N 26 57 12 E 40 32 45 N 26 56 30 E (SHORE) K) CONTACT DETAILS: Phone : +90-212-2491708(Pbx) Fax : +90-212-2513173 / +90-212-2490761 Telex : 24875-25581 25582 Email addresses : ISS.Turkey@ISS-Shipping.com (General) ISS.Istanbul@ISS-Shipping.com (General) P.I.C. AOH CONTACT DETAILS MR. KADIR KAYA - Managing Director MR. MURAT CICEKCISOY Manager MR. TEOMAN TURUDU MR. MURAT DOGAN MR. CENK BERK MR. EVREN SEKERCI MR. ILKER ATAG - Cruise Operations MR. BARIS DELI - Cruise Operations&CLS MR. ARDA ONER - CLS +90 530 8290331 +90 532 2113647 +90 533 3874974 +90 533 4125454 +90 533 2052810 +90 530 3914779 +90 532 3573118 +90 533 4311617 +90 532 2416603 Please feel free to contact us anytime, should you need any assistance from our side.