The Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing Development Consent Order 2020

Opening requests

3.—(1) The following provisions of this paragraph apply to the master, owner, agent, pilot or operator of vessels wishing to transit the bridge (and accordingly such persons must comply with any obligation expressed by reference to a vessel).

(2) Any vessel wishing to transit the bridge must provide an opening request containing the following information no later than 120 minutes (2 hours) prior to the required opening time—

(a) the name of the vessel requesting passage;

(b) the required opening time;

(c) the overall length and beam of the vessel requesting passage;

(d) the presence of any superstructure, cargo, or structure which overhangs the designed beam of the vessel requesting passage;

(e) the air draft of the vessel if this is less than 6 metres; and

(f) for a tug and tow, or vessel being escorted by a tug or tugs;

(i) the names and number of tugs;

(ii) the overall length of the tow;

(iii) the maximum beam of the tow or towed object.

(3) Any vessel must reconfirm the requested opening time with the undertaker no later than 60 minutes (1 hour) prior to the requested opening time.

(4) Opening requests and reconfirmations under sub-paragraph (3) are to be made by the vessel via the communications facilities.

(5) The required opening time given in the opening request is to be that time which the vessel intends to commence its transit of the bridge, either inbound or outbound.

(6) The undertaker must—

(a) acknowledge the opening request, by the same means as it was given, within 10 minutes of receiving the request;

(b) provide a confirmation of approval or refusal of the requested opening time within 10 minutes of acknowledging the request; and

(c) where an opening request is refused, provide the following information—

(i) a reason for refusing the request; and

(ii) except in the case of exceptional circumstances, an alternative time for the vessel to transit the bridge.

(7) Vessels acting as a group and wishing to transit the bridge as a group may request a bridge opening in accordance with paragraph 99 provided that—

(a) the opening request is made by the group leader;

(b) all vessels included in the group are listed in the opening request; and

(c) the number of vessels is such that the anticipated transit time through the bridge from the passage of the first vessel to the passage of the last vessel is no greater than 15 minutes.