October 2016 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 5. Port Safety Meeting - Minutes


Date: September 14, 2016 Location: NH Department of Environmen- tal Services (Conference Room), NHDES Portsmouth Regional Offi ce, Pease Interna- tional Tradeport, Portsmouth, NH


Introductions and Administration: Introductions – The meeting was called


to order at 10:00 by the Port Safety Forum Co-Chair John Henshaw representing the Maine Port Authority with Commander John Humpage as the Co-Chair representing the Coast Guard. A quorum was comprised of 26 individuals. Review and Approval of the April 13, 2016 Port Safety Forum Meeting Minutes – Hearing no objections to the content of the June 16, 2016 minutes, Mr. Henshaw accepted the minutes as approved. One addition to the agenda was made to include discussion of the U.S. Navy Atlantic Stur- geon monitoring program which was added under Agenda item 5, “New Business.”


Waterfront Structures Inspection - Cher- yl Coviello – GZA Ms. Coviello detailed the importance


of facility structural inspections and assess- ments to assure the integrity of mooring and cargo handling facilities. Completing regular assessments by qualifi ed engineers is critical to maintaining a sound transpor- tation system, especially in an unforgiving marine environment. To help facilities, the American Society of Civil Engineers have developed a guide entitled Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment. The publication helps inspectors focus on the key areas that are critical to ensuring structural integrity of docks as well as the mooring and fender systems needed for marine transportation. Among the considerations in completing a facility structural assessment include sea level rising scenarios (storm surge), coastal hazards, storm history/mod- eling, site specifi c issues (shoaling, current, wakes, etc.), and resiliency. The inspection standard helps facility operators identify small issues for correction before the envi- ronment and continued service allow for fur-


ther deterioration which protects shipping and lowers risk to the facility owner. Book orders may be made through www.asce.org (Stock No. 41357 / IBSN: 9780784413579).


Port Activities Update: Oyster Farm Awareness & Sewage Discharge – Chris Nash and Melanie Cofrin, NH DES Chris Nash and Melanie Confrin dis-


cussed the expanding oyster aquaculture industry in New Hampshire. The bulk of the industry is in Little Bay and consists of about 18 farms. According to 2015 NH DES sta- tistics, New Hampshire oyster aquaculture produced over 207,000 oysters. Oysters, the same as other aquaculture


is susceptible to pollution. The State is raising awareness in the Seacoast and Little Bay area of pollution prevention measures including sewage. The EPA has declared New Hampshire


coastal waters as a no-discharge zone for sewage including treated sewage even from approved Marine Sanitation Devices. Sew- age must be retained on-board and trans- ferred ashore at pump out station or may be discharged beyond three nautical miles of shore.


Even the smallest release of sewage


could harm the burgeoning oyster aquacul- ture industry.


Non-commercial (and in some cases,


commercial) vessels may be pumped at no charge through the NH DES pump-out program. The northern coastal service (known to many as the Royal Flush service) is available by appointment May through November. Call 603-670-5130 for service. The service in Hampton Harbor is oper-


ated by Lamey LLC. Call 603-PUMPOUT (603-786-7688) for service through October 31.


Penobscot Bay Survey – LCDR Meghan McGovern, NOAA Over the Summer, NOAA conducted


oceanographic surveys in Penobscot Bay using a survey contractor with 2 small boats and 1 aircraft. The survey should be complete by mid-October. The scope


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of the survey is slightly reduced (by about 108 square nautical miles) from what was discussed at previous Port Safety Forums. This survey will enhance navigation by replacing 1950’s era survey data with cur- rent data utilizing state-of the-art surveying equipment and techniques. Rockland was included in the survey which helped to identify suitability of certain bottom areas for possible ship anchorages. In particular, the regional pilots were interested in verify- ing or disproving the existence of a charted wreck (thought to be obsolete) in Rockland Harbor. If present, the wreck would have posed an unacceptable risk to cruise ship anchoring. The preliminary results of the survey indicate that the wreck is no longer


present which will provide more navigation fl exibility for cruise ship traffi c entering Rockland. Additionally, preliminary surveys have also indicated some shallow spots in the Penobscot Bay which had not previously been identifi ed. Among the sur- vey highlights include a 16’ spot at Hewett I Rocks near Yellow Ledge, (adjacent to 39’ and 23’foot depths), as well as a 21’ spot next to a 76’ depth at McIntosh Ledge in the vicinity of Buoy G “1”. All preliminary details were passed to the regional pilots for their awareness.


Continued on Page 23.


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