Panama Canal Bridge Visibility Requirements

Vessels arriving at Panama Canal waters, must comply with the visibility requirements from the conning positions on the Bridge deck, in order to be granted safe passage through the canal and ensure the navigational safety of the vessel. Non-compliance with Panama Canal rules and regulations may subject vessels to unnecessary delays or denial of transit or even the imposition of fines. Non-compliant vessels will need to take further risk control measures such as additional pilots or tugs (decided on a case by case basis by the ACP).

Photo: justinsomnia.org

According to Maritime Regulations for the Operation of the Panama Canal, vessels transiting the Panama Canal must comply with the following navigation bridge minimum visibility requirements, depending on the status (laden/unladen etc) of the vessel as well as its type:

1. If the vessel is laden, the view of the water surface from any conning position in the navigation bridge shall not be obscured by more than one (1) ship length forward of the bow, under all conditions of draft and trim.
2. If the vessel is in ballast (not laden), the view of the water surface from any conning position in the navigation bridge shall not be obscured by more than one and one-half (1.5) ship lengths forward of the bow, under all conditions of draft and trim.
3. If the visibility from normal conning positions is obscured by cargo gear or other permanent obstructions forward of the beam, the total arc of obstructed visibility from Conning Position 1 shall not exceed 15 degrees.
4. The side hull plating at the vessel’s waterline, fore and aft, shall be visible from bridge wing conning positions.
5. Vessels shall be required to execute an Undertaking and Release form if visibility from the bridge is considered by the Canal Authority to present a hazard. That means releasing the Panama Canal from being responsible for any loss or damage (damage to property/employees of ACP) caused by vessels navigation. At the same time by signing this form the Company is liable to indemnify the Panama Canal for any damages etc.
6. For Containerships, except from the above, the following requirements should be complied with:

• should be 213.36 m or more in length.
• should not be equipped with centerline cranes or cargo gear, which in any way obstruct forward visibility.
• the view of the water surface from conning position No.1, as indicated in Figure 2 below shall not be obscured by more than two (2) ship lengths, or 500 meters, whichever is less, forward of the bow to 10° on either side, under all conditions of draft, trim and deck cargo.
• must have installed, prior to transit, pilot shelter platforms as required in Article 64 of the “Maritime Regulations for the Operations of the Panama Canal”.
• must be equipped with an operational bow thruster, otherwise it may, at pilot request, be assigned and charged for an additional tug through the Culebra Cut (an artificial valley that cuts through the continental divide in Panama).

Normal conning positions.
Notes: 1. On vessels without centerline cranes or any other centerline obstructions, visibility shall be measured along the centerline over the stem.
Note 2. On vessels with centerline cranes or any other centerline obstruction visbility should be measured along lines which are parallel to vessel’s centerline keel from conning positions No.2 & No.3 over vessel’s bow.
Note 3. Conning positions No.2 & No.3 are to be at those windows in the wheelhouse which are the nearest windows to the centerline which will provide a clear unobstructed view ahead along lines which are parallel to vessel’s centerline.

If  vessel exceeds ACP bridge visibility requirements due to cargo, cargo gear, structures, or any other reason then the ACP should be notified within 48 hours prior to arrival stating that they “Exceed ACP Visibility”. This notification may be included in the remarks section of the ETA message. Furthermore service charge to cover the costs resulting from the assignment of additional resources provided should be payed by the operators of the vessel. If notification is not received at least 48 hours prior to the vessel’s arrival, there will be a service charge. Additionally for vessels not complying with ACP bridge visibility requirements the message to be sent to ACP should include the following information depending on the vessel’s particulars and operational schedule :

1. For vessels over 150 feet LOA a report regarding their blind distance (in ship lengths), calculated for Tropical Salt Water, from conning positions 1, 2, and 3 is required. “Blind Distance” is the forward distance from the bow of the vessel to the closest point on the water’s surface which can be seen from all conning positions in the navigation bridge.
2. For vessels less than 150 feet LOA a forward visibility that allows navigation ranges and aids to navigation to be visible from all navigation bridge conning positions should be reported
3. Vessels intending to dock prior to transit must provide the visibility condition for docking and for transit.
4. Vessels intending to dock only (local calls), must also provide the undocking visibility condition.

In case where the visibility requirements have been changed, messages of the “Exceed ACP Visibility” status of the vessel are only allowed if they are made within the abovementioned 48 hours window prior to arrival.

The imposition of fines for non-compliance with ACP bridge visibility requirements differs depending on whether the ACP has been notified within the 48 hours time window or not. To be more specific according to ACP marine tariffs for pilotage (item code 1060.0000) a vessel is required to:

pay $ 4 ,000.00 when bridge visibility requirements are exceeded but the ACP has been notified at least 48 hours prior to the vessels arrival. In case the vessel’s transit is interrupted for reasons that are the vessel’s responsibility, i.e. mechanical failure, then the rate will be charged again if additional pilot assignments are required.

pay $ 8 ,000.00 when bridge visibility requirements are exceeded but the ACP has been notified less than 48 hours prior to the vessels arrival. If the ACP has not been notified at all the same fine is applied. If  the vessel’s transit is interrupted for reasons that are the vessel’s responsibility, i.e. mechanical failure, then the rate will be charged again if additional pilot assignments are required. Furthermore, in this case the vessel may be charged with other applicable charges as well.

Source: ACP